Gitte Haenen Explained

Gitte Haenen
Sport:Paralympic athletics
Disability Class:T63
Event:100 metres
Long jump
Club:KAA Ghent
Coach:Mieke van Thuyne
Birth Date:23 March 1986
Birth Place:Mortsel, Belgium
Residence:Ghent, Belgium
Height:1.70m
Weight:60kg

Gitte Haenen (born 23 March 1986) is a Belgian Paralympic athlete who competes in 100 metres and long jump events in international level events. She is also a former paratriathlete and Thai boxer competing in an elite level.[1]

In 2010, Haenen was involved in an accident in a Thai boxing training session. She was accidentally kicked in the left knee which tore her anterior cruciate ligament and had to have many operations and rehabilitation, however in 2014, her left knee worsened and Haenen suffered with chronic pain and nerve damage and was prescribed morphine for her injury. She was forced to give up boxing and her left leg was amputated above the knee in March 2016.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gitte Haenen - IPC Athlete Bio. 9 April 2020. ipc.infostradasports.com.
  2. Web site: Gitte Haenen na EK-medailles: "Amputatie was beste beslissing". nl. 27 August 2018. sporza.be.