Belgian Tornados Miss Podium by 2 Hundredths at Euros
The Belgian Tornados men’s 4x400m relay team suffered a heartbreaking disappointment at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Sunday, finishing fourth and missing the podium by just two hundredths of a second. The team, which was defending its European title, saw its hopes of a 24th international medal slip away in the final meters of the race.
According to La Libre Belgique, Jonathan Sacoor, Dylan Borlée, Julien Watrin, and Daniel Segers competed in the final at Alexander Stadium, crossing the line in 2:59.51—nearly two seconds off the Belgian record of 2:57.75 set at the Paris Olympic Games final in August 2024.
A Race Decided in the Final Meters
The race came down to a dramatic finish on the anchor leg. The Netherlands’ Jonas Phijffers overtook Daniel Segers in the closing meters to snatch the bronze medal, while Italy claimed gold and Great Britain took silver. For the Tornados, who were competing in their 41st international final since 2008, the result was a bitter pill to swallow.
“It comes down to nothing. It’s not easy… We’re used to getting on the podium at the Euro. It was a great fight, and we lost it. They were stronger than us,” Dylan Borlée said after the race, as reported by La Libre Belgique.
The disappointment was palpable not just in the results but in the faces and words of the athletes, who had come to Birmingham as four-time European champions and title defenders from Rome 2024.
Qualification and Preparation
The Tornados had qualified for the final by finishing second in their heat on August 14 with a time of 2:59.35, behind Italy’s championship record of 2:58.10. The team’s preparation had been complicated by the absence of Alexander Doom, the Belgian 400m champion and a key member of the relay squad, who was sidelined by injury.
A Broader Setback for Belgian Athletics
The Tornados’ disappointment was part of a wider challenging championship for Team Belgium. The delegation finished Euro 2026 with four medals—one silver and three bronze—and a 20th place in the overall medal table. It was the first time since 2014 that Belgium left a European Athletics Championships without a title.
Key absences, including Nafi Thiam in the heptathlon and Alexander Doom in the 400m, significantly weakened the Belgian delegation. Despite these setbacks, Belgium recorded 18 top-8 finishes at the championships, with 12 in individual events and 6 in relays.
Silver Linings in the Belgian Campaign
Despite the overall disappointment, there were notable bright spots. Saliyya Guisse claimed silver in the triple jump, while Delphine Nkansa (100m), Jana Van Lent (10,000m), and the Belgian Falcons (4x100m relay) each took bronze. Jonathan N’Senga, high-level coordinator at LBFA, described the overall bilan as positive.
“It’s a positive bilan… We can be satisfied and very happy with this young and ambitious team. With surprises like Delphine (Nkansa) and Saliyya (Guisse) and teams that are always there. Maybe we missed one or two medals that would have made this bilan extraordinary,” N’Senga said.
The Belgian Cheetahs, the women’s 4x400m relay team, also had a solid showing, finishing sixth in their final with a season-best time of 3:25.19. Camille Laus noted: “When you take part in a final, it’s always to aim for the top 3… But it was a nice race. We showed that Belgium is among the best European nations.”
Looking Ahead
For the Tornados, the question now is how they will respond to this setback. With a squad that has consistently been among Europe’s elite relay teams for nearly two decades, the hunger for redemption will likely drive their preparation for upcoming international competitions. The team’s history of resilience—having won four European titles and medaled at World Championships—suggests this disappointment could fuel a strong comeback.
As Belgian athletics looks toward the next major championships, the focus will be on rebuilding a fully healthy squad and returning to the podium where the Tornados have become accustomed to standing.