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.
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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.
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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.