Three -time Olympic champion Nafi Thiam withdrew from the heptathlon at the World Cup Athletics on Saturday. The Belgian multi -camp star disappointed in Tokyo and after five parts threw the towel into the ring.
With tears in her eyes, 31-year-old Thiam spoke to the Belgian press. “I am not myself and I no longer enjoy it. I just don’t recognize myself as a athlete. It is mainly mentally. I was not in the form of my life, but I had a solid form.”
Yet Thiam was unable to convert that form into good performance. “It is especially difficult in the head,” said Thiam, who had a turbulent run -up to the World Cup in Tokyo. The top athlete refused to sign a code of conduct of the Belgian Association because she cannot agree with a few points, including the portrait rights.
Thiam has Nike and Axa as sponsors, while the Bond has contracts with Asics and Allianz. The code of conduct prescribes that athletes have to wear clothing from sponsors of the union at large championships at large championships. Also she was not allowed to take her personal physiotherapist to the World Cup and there was a conflict about a training camp prior to the global tournament.
“That cost so much energy and did not ensure a positive mindset to start this competition,” Thiam told us on Saturday after a disappointing achievement in the long jump. She stayed with 5.99 meters far below her level. “The disappointment dominates.”
“I tried to fight negativity during the heptathlon, but it didn’t let me go. There was constantly a dark cloud above my competition and I couldn’t shake that up from me.” Together with her team, she then decided to withdraw from the heptathlon.
Coach Thiam furious on Bond: ‘Rotten apples must be removed’
Her coach Michael van der Plaetsen also pointed to the Belgian union. “You can’t prepare a World Cup in this way. She was mentally finished. Then it is better to pull the plug,” said Van der Plaetsen at Sporza .
“Whether I am angry? Of course I am angry. Normally I never open my mouth, but now I am angry,” Van der Plaetsen continued. “Nafi is someone who has to be in her bubble and who has to be left alone so that she can concentrate. That is not respected. I am ashamed to be Belgian here.”
According to Van der Plaetsen, Thiam was the only athlete without a personal physiotherapist. “Actually, it should be normal for an Olympic champion to take his own guidance to a large championship. Of course the union has good physiotherapists, but that is independent of that.”
“The federation says that everyone is the same, but we are not at school camp,” Van der Plaetsen continued. “This is top sport and elite. Everyone complains about the federation. Someone has to say that it is enough. The rotten apples must be removed, but there must also be intervention from above: Sport Vlaanderen, Adeps and the Ministries of Sport must tackle the operation of the Athletics Association.”
Triple Olympic Champion Nafi Thiam withdrew from the heptathlon at the world Athletics Championships on Saturday. The Belgian All-Rounder Disappointed in Tokyo and Threw in the Tower After Five Events.
With Tears in Her Eyes, the 31-year-old Thiam Spoke to the Belgian Press. “I’m not myself and I’m not Enjoying it anymore. I just don’t see myself as an athlete. It’s mystly mental. I was in the form of my life, but I had a decent form.”
Yet Thiam Did Not Succed in Converting That Form Into Good Performances. “It’s Mainly Difficult in My Head,” Said Thiam, Who had a Turbulent Run-Up to the World Championships in Tokyo. The top athlete refused to sign a Code of Conduct from the Belgian Federation because she could not agree with a few points, including the Portrait Rights.
Thiam Has Nike and Axa As Sponsors, While the Federation Has Contracts with Asics and Allianz. The Code of Conduct Stipulates That Athletes Must Wear Clothing from Sponsors of the Federation at Official Moments Duration Major Championships. She was also not allowed to take her personal physiotherapist to the world championships and there was a conflict about A Training Camp Prior to the Global Tournament.
“That went so much energy and did not creative a positive mindset to start this competition,” Thiam Said on Saturday after a disappointing performance in the long jump. With 5.99 meters, She Remained Far Below Her Level. “The disappointment prevails.”
“I tried to fight the negativity duration the heptathlon, but it did’s let go or me. There was a dark cloud constantly hanging over my competition and i couldn’t shake that off.” Together with Her Team, She decided to withdraw from the heptathlon.
Coach Thiam Furious with Federation: ‘Rotten Apple’s must be removed’
Her coach Michael van der Plaetsen also Pointed to the Belgian Federation. “You can’t prepare for a world championship like this. Mentally She was exhausted. Then it’s better to pull the plug,” Said van der Plaetsen at Sporza .
“Am I Angry? Or course I’m Angry. Normally I never open my mouth, but now I’m angry,” van der Plaetsen Continued. “Nafi is some who needs to be in her bubble and needs to be left alone so she can concentrate. That is not respected. I’m ashamed to be Belgian here.”
Accordance to van der Plaetsen, Thiam was the only athlete without a personal physiotherapist. “Actually, it should be normal for an Olympic Champion to take their guidance to a major championship. Of course, The Federation Has Good Physiotherapists, But That’s Separate from That.”
“The Federation Says Everyone is Equal, But We’re not on a school trip,” Van der Plaetsen Continued. “This is top sport and elite. Everyone Complainsins about the federation. Some has to say Enough Is Enough. The Rotten Apples have to be removed, but there also has to be intervention from Higher Up: Sport Vlaanderen, Adeps and the Ministries of Sport Must Address.”