Three top athletes have had a sports contract with Sport Vlaanderen since October 1st. These are decathlete Jente Hauttekeete, pole vaulter Elien Vekemans, and cyclist Lowie Nulens. The contracts of hurdler Elie Bacari, skater Loena Hendrickx, and skeleton athlete Kim Meylemans have been terminated. Bacari's contract was stopped because he started as a top athlete within the Defense forces, while Hendrickx and Meylemans have ended their careers.
As of October 15, 2026, Sport Vlaanderen has 75 top athletes under contract. The three new contracts were awarded to athletes who have either graduated or are not pursuing further studies. "We are proud that these three promising young individuals, under the guidance of federations and their coaches, have taken the step towards the elite," says Tom Coeckelberghs, Head of Department for Top Sports at Sport Vlaanderen. He adds that they receive individual support to successfully combine top sports and studies, and wishes them success at European Championships, World Championships, and the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
The three top athletes met the conditions for a contract. Jente Hauttekeete receives a part-time contract following his eighth place at the European Outdoor Championships and tenth at the 2025 World Outdoor Championships. Elien Vekemans also receives a part-time contract due to her fourth place at the 2026 European Pole Vault Championships. Both are expected to reach the top 8 globally in the current Olympic cycle. Lowie Nulens starts with a full-time contract after his third place in the Keirin at the 2026 European Track Cycling Championships.
Sport Vlaanderen annually evaluates top athletes based on predefined objectives, focusing on top 8 finishes at World Championships and medals at European Championships and Paralympic Games. Contract renewals depend on achieving these goals. Sports contracts guarantee a fixed monthly salary and financial security, complementing the performance program that supports approximately three hundred top athletes through funding for training camps, coaches, and medical guidance.
