Belgium at the 2010 Winter Olympics explained

Noc:BEL
Nocname:Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee
Games:Winter Olympics
Year:2010
Website: 
Location:Vancouver
Competitors:8
Sports:4
Flagbearer Open:Kevin van der Perren
Flagbearer Close:Pieter Gysel
Gold:0
Silver:0
Bronze:0
Appearances:auto

Belgium sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from 12–28 February 2010. The nation has been to every Winter Olympics except two, both in the 1960s. The Belgian delegation to Vancouver consisted of eight athletes, competing in four different sports. The delegation did not win any medals, and their best performance in any event was ninth by Pieter Gysel in the short track speed skating 1,500 meters event.

Background

Belgium has been participating in the Olympic movement almost since the beginning, with their first appearance coming at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. They have competed in every Winter Olympic Games except for the 1960 and 1968 editions.[1] Coming into Vancouver they had won five medals in Winter Olympic competition, but none since the 1998 Winter Olympics. Belgium qualified eight athletes into the Vancouver Olympics: three in alpine skiing, two in bobsleigh, two in figure skating, and one in short track speed skating.[2] This was Belgium's first time fielding women in bobsleigh competition, Eva Willemarck and Elfje Willemsen were entered in the two-woman race.[3] Figure skater Kevin van der Perren was chosen as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony, his second time doing so.[4] [5] Short-track racer Pieter Gysel was selected as the flag bearer for the closing ceremony.[6]

Alpine skiing

See main article: Alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Belgium qualified three athletes in alpine skiing.[7] Karen Persyn was 26 years old at the time of her race in Vancouver, the women's slalom, which was held on 26 February. She was making her first Olympic appearance.[8] She posted run times of 54.09 seconds[9] and 53.87 seconds.[10] Her combined time of 1 minute and 47.96 seconds was good enough to put her in 27th place, out of 55 women who finished both runs of the race.[11] Bart Mollin and Jeroen Van den Bogaert each contested only one event, the men's slalom on 27 February.[12] Mollin was 28 years old at the time, while Van den Bogaert was 30 years old.[13] Both men were making their debut Olympic appearance.[14] [15] Mollin failed to finish the first run of the race, while Van den Bogaert posted a time of 53.99 seconds.[16] In the second run, Van den Bogaert posted a time of 54.57 seconds,[17] making his combined time for the race 1 minute and 48.56 seconds, which put him in 34th place out of 48 competitors who finished the race.[18]

AthleteEventRun 1Run 2TotalRank
Bart MollinMen's slalomDNFdid not advance
Jeroen Van den BogaertMen's slalom53.9954.571:48.5634
Karen PersynWomen's slalom54.0953.871:47.9627

Bobsleigh

See main article: Bobsleigh at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Belgium qualified one women's bobsleigh team. The two competitors, Eva Willemarck and Elfje Willemsen, were each 25 years old at the time of the Vancouver Olympics.[19] Both were making their Olympic debuts, and Willemsen would again compete for Belgium at the 2014 Winter Olympics.[20] [21] The two-woman competition was held on 23–24 February, with two runs being contested each day.[22] Belgium's sleigh posted times of 54.27 seconds,[23] and 54.40 seconds on the first day.[24] Of the 21 teams competing, Belgium finished the first day in 15th place.[25] On the second day, Willemarck and Willemsen posted times of 54.64 seconds,[26] and 54.17 seconds.[27] Their final time was 3 minutes, 37.48 seconds, which placed the Belgians in 14th position for the overall competition.

Figure skating

See main article: Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics. These Olympics were Kevin van der Perren's third Olympic Games. His best finish was ninth at the 2006 Winter Games.[28] He entered these Olympics with the goal of a top five finish.[29] Van der Perren performed the short program in a skeleton costume. He thought it was his best short program he had ever performed, and expected to score higher than his personal best of 75.80 points. He scored 72.90 points, which put him in 12th place.[30]

Twice during the free skate, he had to balance himself with a hand on the ice after his jump. Since he was nervous, he simplified his jumps for the middle of the program.[31] During the free skate he placed 18th with 116.94 points.[32] He finished with 189.84 total points, finishing in 17th place overall.[33]

Isabelle Pieman met the criteria for the Olympics in 2009, but the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee delayed in selecting her for her first Olympic Games.[34] She needed to finish in the top 24 to advance to the free skate.[35] She set a new personal record during the short program, scoring 46.30 points.[36] Pieman placed 25th, and did not advance to the free skating segment. She was happy with her finish, saying, "This was the best short freestyle in my career and I am very happy to have just been able to show that in Vancouver."[37]

Athlete(s)Event//Total
PointsRankPointsRankPointsRank
Kevin van der PerrenMen
Isabelle PiemanLadiesdid not advance

Short track speed skating

See main article: Short track speed skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Pieter Gysel competed in three short track speed skating events: the 500 meter, the 1,000 meter, and the 1,500 meter. This was his third Winter Olympics; he raced in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City and the 2006 Olympics in Turin.[38]

Gysel hoped to finish in the top six of the 1,500 meter race, and thought he might medal.[39] There are six athletes per heat in the 1,500 meter, with the top three in each heat advancing to the next round. He finished with the 21st best time in the first round, finishing in 2:18.560. Gysel was second in his heat, behind Apolo Ohno, and advanced to the semifinals.[40] In the semifinals, there were seven athletes per heat, with the top two advancing to the A Final and the next two advancing to the B Final. Gysel was passed near the end of the race and finished fourth in his heat with a time of 2:16.249.[41] This placed him in the B finals, and the best he could finish was seventh place.[42] He finished third in his finals heat with a time of 2:18.773, which placed him ninth overall in the 1500 meter race.[43] [44]

He drew a tough matchup in the 1,000 meter race: Sochi 1,500 meter gold medalist Lee Jung-Su and bronze medalist J.R. Celski.[45] He was in second place for most of the race, which would have advanced him to the quarterfinals. Towards the end of the race, he lost some speed coming out of a turn and was passed by Celski. Gysel was eliminated in the first round after finishing in 19th place, with a time of 1:25.113. Even though he had the seventh best time, he placed third in his heat and was eliminated from competition.[46]

Gysel came to the Olympics with the ambition to finish in the top eight in the 500 meter race. He finished second in his heat that featured two strong competitors: vice world champion Kwak Yoon-gy and Jordan Malone. Malone was considered one of the best in the world for this event.[47] Gysel was in third place during the final lap when Malone crashed. Gysel overtook him and finished second in the heat, with a time of 42.443 seconds. He advanced to the quarterfinals with the slowest time of those that advanced.[48] [49] Gysel drew a difficult quarterfinal matchup, which featured the 2006 silver medalist, Canadian François-Louis Tremblay, and another round against Kwak. He was eliminated from the event in the quarterfinals. He placed last out of the four competitors; he needed to finish in the top two in order to advance to the semifinals.[50]

AthleteEventHeatQuarterfinalSemifinalFinal
TimeRankTimeRankTimeRankTimeRank
Pieter Gysel500m42.44322 Q41.98012did not advance
1000m1:25.61319did not advance
1500m2:18.56021 Q2:16.24916 QB2:18.7739

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Belgium. Sports Reference. 14 July 2018. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170703083455/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/BEL/. 3 July 2017.
  2. Web site: Belgium at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170630112039/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/BEL/winter/2010/. 30 June 2017. dead.
  3. Web site: Belgium Bobsleigh Women's Two Results. https://web.archive.org/web/20200418020158/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/BEL/winter/BOB/womens-two.html. dead. 18 April 2020. Sports Reference. 16 July 2018.
  4. Web site: 21. Olympische Winterspiele eröffnet. 21st Winter Olympic Games opened. VRT NWS. 13 February 2010. 17 July 2018. nl.
  5. News: Complete list of 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic flag-bearers. 12 February 2010. The Vancouver Sun. 29 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20100216123527/http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Complete%2Blist%2B2010%2BVancouver%2BWinter%2BOlympic%2Bflag%2Bbearers/2558064/story.html. 16 February 2010.
  6. Web site: The Flagbearers for the Vancouver 2010 Closing Ceremony. 28 February 2010. International Olympic Committee. 29 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20100401032223/http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Games_Vancouver_2010/ClosingCeremonyFlagbearers-eng.pdf. 1 April 2010. dead.
  7. Web site: Summary of Quota allocation as per 18.01.2010. 18 January 2010. International Ski Federation. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20110604013119/http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/olympic-winter-games-2010-vancouver-quota-list-18th-jan-2010.pdf. 4 June 2011. dead.
  8. Web site: Karen Persyn Bio, Stats, and Results. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170709014416/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/pe/karen-persyn-1.html. 9 July 2017. dead.
  9. Web site: Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Women's Slalom Run 1. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170712172907/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/ASK/womens-slalom-run-1.html. 12 July 2017. dead.
  10. Web site: Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Women's Slalom Run 2. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170729043215/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/ASK/womens-slalom-run-2.html. 29 July 2017. dead.
  11. Web site: Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Women's Slalom. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170712154458/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/ASK/womens-slalom.html. 12 July 2017. dead.
  12. Web site: Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Men's Slalom. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180219150628/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/ASK/mens-slalom.html. 19 February 2018. dead.
  13. Web site: Belgium Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170709013618/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/BEL/winter/2010/ASK/. 9 July 2017. dead.
  14. Web site: Bart Mollin Bio, Stats, and Results. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170711071703/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mo/bart-mollin-1.html. 11 July 2017. dead.
  15. Web site: Jeroen Van Den Bogaert Bio, Stats, and Results. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170711071821/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/va/jeroen-van-den-bogaert-1.html. 11 July 2017. dead.
  16. Web site: Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Men's Slalom Run 1. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180310202007/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/ASK/mens-slalom-run-1.html. 10 March 2018. dead.
  17. Web site: Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Men's Slalom Run 2. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180310201543/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/ASK/mens-slalom-run-2.html. 10 March 2018. dead.
  18. Web site: Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Men's Slalom. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180219150628/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/ASK/mens-slalom.html. 19 February 2018. dead.
  19. Web site: Belgium Bobsleigh at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170711071844/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/BEL/winter/2010/BOB/. 11 July 2017. dead.
  20. Web site: Elfje Willemsen Bio, Stats, and Results. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170711071838/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/wi/elfje-willemsen-1.html. 11 July 2017. dead.
  21. Web site: Eva Willemarck Bio, Stats, and Results. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170711071727/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/wi/eva-willemarck-1.html. 11 July 2017. dead.
  22. Web site: Bobsleigh at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Women's Two. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180226211810/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/BOB/womens-two.html. 26 February 2018. dead.
  23. Web site: Bobsleigh at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Women's Two Run 1. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170710051525/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/BOB/womens-two-run-1.html. 10 July 2017. dead.
  24. Web site: Bobsleigh at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Women's Two Run 2. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170710050618/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/BOB/womens-two-run-2.html. 10 July 2017. dead.
  25. Web site: Bobsleigh at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Women's Two Runs 1-2. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170720154827/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/BOB/womens-two-runs-1-2.html. 20 July 2017. dead.
  26. Web site: Bobsleigh at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Women's Two Run 3. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170710051037/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/BOB/womens-two-run-3.html. 10 July 2017. dead.
  27. Web site: Bobsleigh at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Women's Two Run 4. Sports Reference. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170710051257/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/BOB/womens-two-run-4.html. 10 July 2017. dead.
  28. Web site: Kevin Van der Perren. https://web.archive.org/web/20200418010248/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/va/kevin-van-der-perren-1.html. dead. 18 April 2020. Sports Reference. July 23, 2018.
  29. Web site: Kan Van Der Perren een olympische medaille pakken?. Can Van Der Perren take an Olympic medal?. 22 January 2009. 15 July 2018. nl. Het Nieuwsblad.
  30. Web site: Kevin Van der Perren: 'Mijn beste korte kür ooit'. Kevin Van der Perren: 'My best short freestyle ever'. 17 February 2010. 16 July 2018. De Standaard. nl.
  31. Web site: Kevin Van der Perren eindigt 17e na vrije kür. Kevin Van der Perren finishes 17th after freestyle. 19 February 2010. 16 July 2018. Gazet Van Antwerpen. nl.
  32. Web site: Kevin van der Perren op de Winterspelen. Kevin van der Perren at the Winter Games. 16 July 2018. De Morgen. nl.
  33. Web site: Figure Skating at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Men's Singles. https://web.archive.org/web/20200418043755/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/FSK/mens-singles.html. dead. 18 April 2020. Sports Reference. 17 July 2018.
  34. Web site: Isabelle Pieman is klaar voor olympische vuurdoop. Isabelle Pieman is ready for Olympic baptism. nl. 22 February 2010. 17 July 2018. De Standaard.
  35. Web site: Isabelle Pieman oefent eerste keer in het Pacific Coliseum. nl. Isabelle Pieman practices for the first time in the Pacific Coliseum. 17 February 2010. 17 July 2018. Het Nieuwsblad.
  36. Web site: Isabelle Pieman terug van Olympische Winterspelen. Isabelle Pieman back from Olympic Winter Games. 11 March 2010. 17 July 2018. nl. Bruzz.
  37. Web site: Pieman ondanks persoonlijk record meteen out. Pieman immediately out despite personal record. 24 February 2010. 17 July 2018. Gazet Van Antwerpen. nl.
  38. Web site: Pieter Gysel. Sports Reference. 14 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180715011316/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/gy/pieter-gysel-1.html. 15 July 2018. dead.
  39. Web site: Shorttracker Gysel finisht pas negende in eerste wedstrijd. 14 February 2010. Shorttracker Gysel only finishes ninth in his first event. De Morgen. nl. 18 July 2018.
  40. Web site: Short Track Speed Skating at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Men's 1,500 metres Round One. https://web.archive.org/web/20200417084042/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/STK/mens-1500-metres-round-one.html. dead. 17 April 2020. Sports Reference. 21 July 2018.
  41. Web site: Short Track Speed Skating at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Men's 1,500 metres Semi-Finals. https://web.archive.org/web/20200417084043/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/STK/mens-1500-metres-semi-finals.html. dead. 17 April 2020. Sports Reference. 21 July 2018.
  42. Web site: Belgium's best hope for a medal dashed. VRT News. 18 July 2018. 14 February 2010.
  43. Web site: Gysel eindigt pas negende op 1.500 meter shorttrack. Gysel only finishes ninth on a 1,500 meter short track. 14 February 2010. 19 July 2018. Gazet Van Antwerpen. nl.
  44. Web site: Short Track Speed Skating at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Men's 1,500 metres Final Round. https://web.archive.org/web/20200417084043/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/STK/mens-1500-metres-final-round.html. dead. 17 April 2020. Sports Reference. 21 July 2018.
  45. Web site: Zware loting voor shorttracker Pieter Gysel op 1000 m. Heavy draw for short tracker Pieter Gysel at 1000 m. De Morgen. nl. 18 July 2018. 17 February 2010.
  46. Web site: Fout in slotmeters kost Pieter Gysel plaats in kwartfinale. Pieter Gysel is the final in quarter finals. 18 February 2010. 18 July 2018. De Morgen.
  47. Web site: Shorttracker Pieter Gysel naar kwartfinale na val Amerikaan. 25 February 2010. 14 July 2018. Shorttracker Pieter Gysel to quarter-finals after American Falls. nl. https://web.archive.org/web/20180715010957/https://www.demorgen.be/sport/shorttracker-pieter-gysel-naar-kwartfinale-na-val-amerikaan-be785bff/. 15 July 2018. live. De Morgen.
  48. Web site: Pieter Gysel: 'Kwartfinale wordt bijzonder moeilijk'. Pieter Gysel: 'Quarter-final becomes very difficult'. 25 February 2010. 14 July 2018. nl. https://web.archive.org/web/20180715011526/https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf25022010_017. 15 July 2018. live. Het Nieuwsblad.
  49. Web site: Short Track Speed Skating at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games: Men's 500 metres Round One. Sports Reference. 14 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180715011824/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/STK/mens-500-metres-round-one.html. 15 July 2018. dead.
  50. Web site: Shorttracker Pieter Gysel uitgeschakeld in kwartfinale. Shorttracker Pieter Gysel eliminated in quarterfinals. nl. 27 February 2010. 14 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180715224146/https://www.gva.be/cnt/aid906305/shorttracker-pieter-gysel-uitgeschakeld-in-kwartfinale. 15 July 2018. live. Gazet Van Antwerpen.

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