The former gymnast Nina Derwael has been awarded the title of Grand Officer in the Order of Leopold. The 25-year-old received the title from King Filip Laken Castle on Tuesday.
The title is one of the highest grades within the Belgian honours system has been given to Nina Derwael in recognition of her “exceptional gymnastics career”, the Royal Palace said when it announced that she was being honoured last week.
Speaking at Laken Castle on Tuesday, Nina Derwael said that the title represented “recognition of what I have meant to the country and of how I have been able to contribute to putting a small country like Belgium on the map”.
Olympic champion
Nina Derwael took gold in the uneven bars competition at the 2021 Tokyo Olmypics. Previously she had two world titles in the same event in 2018 and 2019.
During her career, the gymnast from Limburg Province was European Champion 4 times, 3 times on the uneven bars and once on the balance beam. She also received the Belgian Sportswoman of the Year Award 3 times. She announced her retirement from professional sport in July this year.
Nina Derwael received her title and the silver silver breast star medal that goes with it at aceremony on Tuesday morning.
Before the ceremony, the gymnast had a brief meeting with the King, which she described as a "very casual conversation" about herself, her career, stress resistance and the monarch and his children.
She said that she is grateful that her strength of character in overcoming injuries and her influence as a role model were recognised during the ceremony.