Written by Trackandmemes, February 1, 2024
She started the season with a time of 7 seconds and 36 hundredths over 60 metres at the provincial championships, where she came away with the gold medal, just 3 hundredths off her personal best. But this weekend, Marine continued to impress, setting a new benchmark in 7 seconds and 30 hundredths in the short sprint! A more than solid performance for our Belgian Rocket.
Marine, if your performances are anything to go by, you're certainly not going unnoticed! What's your background?
I started athletics at the age of 13 at WACO (Waremme Athletic Club Oreye), where I met François Gourmet. He trained his athletes there.
Then I joined Seraing, but always with the same coach.
I've always loved sprinting; 100m and 200m. I put in some great performances as a cadet, winning the Belgian 200m title.
In school, it was more complicated because I had some minor injuries.
Then, in the junior category, I continued my progress, becoming Belgian champion over 100m and 200m, and taking 6th place at the U20 European Championships with the 4x100m relay.
Last year, as a U23 espoir 1, I took 5th place in the European 4x100m championships.
I continue to progress every year and to get more and more involved. At the same time, I'm studying motor science at the University of Liège, in Sart Tilman.
Next year, to continue this development, I'd like to do the U23 European Championships, but in individual ! So 100m and 200m. I'm also a member of the Belgian 4x100m senior national team; the Belgian Rockets 🚀
Wow, what an evolution! So, has François always been your coach? When did you know he was the one?
Yes, François has always been my coach. At first, I knew nothing about athletics, but as time went by, I quickly realized that I'd come across the right coach.
He's a great listener. He's an enormously dedicated coach! He adapts to each athlete according to their needs, but also their investments.
He can be very professional, but also relaxed.
He gradually got into it with me, and I'm glad! Because it's allowed me to gradually invest myself in the sport. Every year, we become a little more professional. And since this year, he's been trying to make me realize that I'm an adult and not just a young athlete. He suits me well. We get on well. He likes to build the athlete, and as he's had me from the start as a sprinter, that's the plan he prefers to carry out.
Would you like to be a professional athlete or perhaps have a dual career?
For the moment, I have a dual career (studies and sport), and that suits me fine. I don't know how I'll evolve in the future. I hope I can continue to perform well and, if possible, aim for a professional career.
What changes or improvements do you intend to make this year to bring you a little closer to the professional side of the sport?
I'd like to be even more diligent. Combine school and athletics well, and do more sports training. I'd like to apply myself a little more in each area.
In seven years of evolution, what would you have done better, if you could change the past?
In my seven years of athletics, I wouldn't have changed much. I'm happy to have done sprinting and to have fallen at Seraing, surrounded by François and my training buddies.
Why do you love running? What does running really do for you?
I love the adrenalin I get from sprinting. I have to work hard because I often have a lot of energy.
But in everyday life, athletics gives me discipline, respect for my body and a healthy lifestyle. I've also learned to surpass myself.
Do you have any other passions?
I don't have any other passion, but I love discovering new activities, especially tennis.
What's your best memory so far?
One of my fondest memories was the European U23 relay championships in Espoo (Finland) in the summer of 2023. I felt so many different emotions. We just missed the podium. It was very frustrating, because on paper, we had a good chance, but that's how it is in relays... Nothing is won in advance. We were pretty disappointed, but then we put things into perspective. We'd done a national record U23 in 43 seconds and 66 hundredths, so that put a smile back on our faces.
It was my favorite championship. I was surrounded by my girlfriends, and I also think of Delphine Nkanza ! She had won gold in the 200m. We were so excited at the finish line that we were shouting all over the place. My girlfriend is European champion! »
It was a good memory too.
I left the championship with many good and different memories.
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