Jean-Michel Saive, who had applied on October 8, 2020, is no longer the only candidate to succeed Pierre-Olivier Beckers for the presidency of the COIB. This Thursday, two days before the end of the submission of candidacies, the ex-judokate Heidi Rakels announced, through her website, that she was also launching an assault on this position. for which the elections will take place on September 10.
“I am pleased to announce that Judo Belgium has proposed me as a candidate for the post of President of the Board of Directors of the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee”, she indicated. “With my experience in various fields, I hope to help Olympic and Paralympic sport in Belgium to grow and flourish with the athletes, coaches, federations and the COIB. It would be a great honor to be the first woman and the first Olympic medalist to take on this task ”.
53-year-old Heidi Rakels won bronze in less than 66 kg at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and, after missing those in Atlanta through injury, finished 5th in less than 78 kg to those in Sydney, in 2000. She also won three medals at the European Championships, in 1992 (silver), 1999 (bronze) and 2001 (silver). She ended her career in 2004.
“When I learned that the COIB presidency was going to be released, I said to myself that this was a position for me! “, Added the Limburgoise. “It’s a huge challenge, a big responsibility, but I think it’s good that a former athlete comes forward. I know that Jean-Michel Saive is also a candidate and he is someone I appreciate. But I think I have my own qualities for the job. In addition, having left the world of sport for a few years, I will start with a clean sheet, without a priori. The experience I have acquired in other fields can be an asset. “
A civil engineer in computer sciences by training, she founded with her partner Eric Lafortune, the Guardsquare company, specializing in the protection of mobile applications. Elected ICT Woman of the Year in 2019, she has since sold and left the company. She now coaches young entrepreneurs.
“I left Guardsquare a year and a half ago and thought it was a good time to do something else. I contacted the Flemish Judo Federation which agreed to support me, with the Belgian Federation. I want to fully embark on this adventure. Until the election, I intend to meet a lot of people from the world of sport, both in the north and in the south of the country. Afterwards, it will be up to the federations to choose! “
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