A successful FBK Games with three para-athletics events in the main programme: ‘It's special to be here among the world's top athletes.’
On Whit Monday, the FBK Stadium in Hengelo was completely dedicated to top-level athletics. For the first time, para-athletics was part of the main programme.
One of the highlights was the mixed 100-metre race for women, in which para-athletes with various disabilities competed together. Among them were Paralympic champion and world record holder Fleur Jong and rising talent Zara Temmink. Although Jong failed to break a world record for the third time in a week, her reaction afterwards was no less enthusiastic: ‘The race wasn't flawless, but I was so incredibly hyped up by the crowd that I gave it my all.’
Paralympic champions Joël de Jong and Lara Baars also made an impression. De Jong jumped to victory in the long jump with 7.08 metres, while Baars reached 9.10 metres in the para shot put – just 15 centimetres below her personal and world record. ‘It's special to be here among the world's best and to be part of the main programme.’
The 44th edition of the FBK Games also saw more Dutch victories. Femke Bol (400 metres hurdles) and Nadine Visser (100 metres hurdles) lived up to their roles as favourites, while Jonas Phijffers (400 metres) and Elvis Afrifa (100 metres) caused surprises with their victories.
The atmosphere in the almost sold-out stadium was therefore exuberant. Around the stadium, children could enjoy themselves during an obstacle run, which we organised in collaboration with YU MAN RACE.