this event is sold out

Portraits of Champions

Tue. September 10, 6:30PM

Portraits of Champions

Beyond the finish line with John Heymans, Cynthia Bolingo, Jean-François Lenvain, Claire Michel and Lola Mansour.

Athletes are often celebrated for their victories, but the real stories unfold off the field. Join us at TheMerode to uncover the journeys that these elite athletes have taken beyond their performances. What does it truly take to reach the pinnacle of athletic achievement? More importantly, what happens when the cheering fades and the medals are hung?

Through the candid experiences of John Heymans, Claire Michel, Cynthia Bolingo, Jean-François Lenvain, and Lola Mansour, we’ll explore the discipline, sacrifice, and resilience required to excel at the highest levels of sport. Yet, this event goes deeper than just physical endurance. These athletes will share how their battles with adversity, both personal and professional, have shaped who they are today—far beyond the accolades.

This evening promises to reveal valuable lessons on perseverance, purpose, and the pursuit of excellence. Whether you are an aspiring athlete, a sports enthusiast, or simply someone interested in stories of human triumph, this event will inspire you to see beyond the medals and into the heart of what it means to be a true champion.


speaker

Lola Mansour

Lola Mansour is a distinguished judokate and feminist activist who has represented Belgium on the international stage. She was the gold medalist at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore (2010) and the European Junior Championships (2012). After a severe injury halted her career, Lola turned her focus to advocacy, empowering women in sports and beyond. Her resilience and dedication make her a true inspiration.

speaker

Jean-François Lenvain

Jean-François Lenvain is an ultra-marathon runner and mentor to numerous athletes. With over 20 years of experience, he founded the association "Tous à Bord" to support and guide athletes through their careers and beyond. His commitment to personal and professional development is exemplary.

speaker

Cynthia Bolingo

Cynthia Maduengele Bolingo Mbongo, born on January 12, 1993, is a standout Belgian sprinter specializing in the 400 meters. Known for her speed and determination, Cynthia first gained international attention when she competed in the 200 meters at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. However, it was in the 400 meters where she truly excelled, winning a silver medal at the 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships. On June 1, 2021, Cynthia shattered the long-standing Belgian record in the 400 meters with a time of 50.75 seconds at a meeting in Montreuil, France, breaking Kim Gevaert’s 16-year-old record. She further improved this record to 50.29 seconds just a month later, securing her place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In August 2023, Cynthia became the first Belgian to reach the 400 meters final at the World Championships, setting a new national record of 49.96 seconds in the process.

speaker

John Heymans

John Heymans, born on January 9, 1998, in Vilvoorde, Belgium, is a top Belgian long-distance runner and a member of the Royal Excelsior Club Brussels. Originally a national-level hockey player, he switched to competitive running in 2016 and quickly made his mark, winning national titles in the 3000 meters indoor and cross-country in 2021. After earning his MSc in Bioengineering and Nanotechnology from KU Leuven in 2022, Heymans turned professional. In 2024, Heymans broke the Belgian indoor record for the 5000 meters with a time of 13:03:46, which qualified him for the 2024 Summer Olympics. At the Games, he finished 11th in the men’s 5000 meters final, affirming his status as one of Belgium’s leading distance runners.

speaker

Claire Michel

Claire Michel, daughter of Olympic swimmer Colette Crabbe, is a leading figure in Belgian triathlon. Raised in the U.S., she studied at the University of Oregon before returning to Brussels in 2011. Starting in swimming and cross-country, she became vice-Belgian champion in the 3000-meter steeplechase in 2012 before transitioning to triathlon. Claire quickly made her mark, becoming vice-world champion at the ITU Aquathlon World Championships in 2013 and earning the title of Female Belgian Triathlete of the Year in 2014 and 2015. She has competed in three Olympic Games: Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024, demonstrating remarkable resilience throughout her career.

moderator

Maryam Benayad

Maryam Benayad, is a journalist for the Belgium service of La Libre Belgique, trained at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in journalism and communication. Also a criminologist, Maryam works mainly on Justice/Police issues, she is also a radio and TV columnist and a debate moderator.
Start
Tue. September 10, 6:30PM
End
Tue. September 10, 9:00PM
Format
TheMerode Talks
Language
French (BE) / Français (BE)
Guest allowed?
Yes, 1 per member

Address

Event
Place Poelaert, 6
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Parking
Parking Poelaert, Place Poelaert 1000 Brussels

Detailed programme

Welcome
Tue. September 10, 6:30PM
Talk
Tue. September 10, 7:00PM
Networking
Tue. September 10, 8:00PM
End
Tue. September 10, 9:00PM

this event is sold out