The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC) has launched its campaign ahead of the Paris Olympics using the slogan "Together we'll make history" and unveiling the team’s new figurehead. Although still uncertain due to a shoulder injury, Nina Derwael is being played out as the team’s figurehead.
Paris Olympics: Team Belgium pledges "Together we'll make history" (VIDEO)
Colin Clapson
Published:
With less than 300 days to go before the start of the Paris Olympics, the BOIC wants to stimulate excitement for the world's biggest sporting event among the Belgian public.
The committee expects many Belgian fans to travel to the French capital. In the campaign video, images of Belgian flag bearers, such as Nafi Thiam, Remco Evenepoel and the Belgian Cats, are interspersed with images of supporters.
A special version of Daan’s "Victory" should give people watching the campaign video goosebumps!
"Sport is emotion," says BOIC director of marketing and communications Dieter Reyntjes. "We want to make it clear that athletes and fans experience the same feelings at the same time and together form Team Belgium."
According to the BOIC, research shows that athletes perform 8 per cent better when supported during their performance. Judoka Jorre Verstraeten confirms such support creates a "little extra boost". The Belgian Olympic committee is counting on those extra percentages next summer.
To increase encouragement, the BOIC is launching the "Embrace", a choreography in which both hands are placed on the shoulders using crossed arms. "This should demonstrate togetherness," says Cédric Van Branteghem CEO of the BOIC. "Hopefully it will become a strong symbol that fans will also adopt."