On September 6, Panathlon International Vlaanderen recalled the original initiative of Panathlon International Gent to build a proper Finnish track around the Watersportbaan Gent. That choice was made because of the straight runways (Noorderlaan and Zuiderlaan), public lighting, which especially during the winter period could benefit the safety of the runners, and the distance of 5km that many runners can handle.
It was on April 24, 1997 that the announcement board was unveiled by Panathlon members by Jaak De Poorter, then Alderman of Sport, and Anton Van Mierlo then president of Panathlon Gent.
With the road works near the Watersportbaan it appeared that the announcement board had seen its "best days" and was in need of replacement.
Panathlon Gent, now grown into Panathlon International Vlaanderen, took the initiative and the cost for a new announcement board and in consultation with the Sportdienst Stad Gent to replace it.
repositioning. The new sign underlines the commitment of the City Council to Sport and the objective of Panathlon with the slogan (h)eerlijk sporten.
P.I.V. president Willy Pennoit unveiled the new panel that offers everyone the chance to get acquainted with Panathlon in Flanders via a QR code.
Paul Standaert, president of Panathlon International Belgium pointed out in his speech the importance of a good and safe public sports infrastructure freely accessible to young and old and congratulated the City of Ghent and Panathlon Flanders for realizing the common goal of safe and healthy Sport for all.
In the presence of Alderman for Sport Sofie Bracke and Alderman for Civil Affairs Isabelle Heyndrickx, September 6, 2024 was not chosen haphazardly.
That day, Hilde Dossogne, the Ghent Marathon Woman, ran her 250th marathon.
The athlete wants to end 2024 with a marathon every day.
All this in support of the project BIG (https://bigagainstbreastcancer.org)
Panathlon International Flanders supports her unique performance and Pascal Cornelis, four-time paralympian and director at PIV, handed her a check worth €250 on behalf of P.I.V.
The ceremony and subsequent reception were rhythmically brightened by the skilled drummers Kono Yo a Taiko group from Ghent.