Memorial van Damme is an annual athletics event at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium that takes place in late August or early September. Previously one of the IAAF Golden League events, it is now part of the IAAF Diamond League.
It was first organized in 1977 by a group of journalists in honour of Ivo van Damme, a Belgian double medal winner at the Montreal Olympics who was killed the previous year in a car accident at the age of 22. A former footballer, he turned to athletics and in particular the 1500 m and 3000 m disciplines. Later on, he discovered the 800 m. In 1976, he took part in the Montreal Olympic Games, where he won silver medals in both the 800 m and 1500 m.
Famous quotes containing the words memorial and/or van:
“When I received this [coronation] ring I solemnly bound myself in marriage to the realm; and it will be quite sufficient for the memorial of my name and for my glory, if, when I die, an inscription be engraved on a marble tomb, saying, “Here lieth Elizabeth, which reigned a virgin, and died a virgin.””
—Elizabeth I (1533–1603)
“I’m a junkie. I like drugs, I like the whole lifestyle, but it just didn’t pay off.”
—Gus Van Sant, U.S. screenwriter, and Dan Yost. Bob Hughes (Matt Dillon)