Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The Memorial Van Damme athletics meeting, established in 1977 to honor Belgian middle-distance athlete Ivo Van Damme, is being celebrated with an exhibition in Brussels marking its 50th anniversary. The event was created after Van Damme's passing, following his two silver medals at the Montreal Olympic Games.
Organized by World Athletics Heritage and the Museum of World Athletics, in collaboration with the Allianz Memorial Van Damme, Lotto, and Golazo, the exhibition titled ‘From Ivo to Mondo’ officially opened on 7 August and became accessible to the public on 8 August at the Lottery Shop on Place De Brouckère. It runs through 6 September, the day after the Memorial hosts the Wanda Diamond League Final at King Baudouin Stadium.
The exhibition features historic documents, programmes, and memorabilia donated by athletes associated with the Memorial Van Damme. Among the displays is correspondence from the Royal Belgian Athletics League seeking international support to coordinate the inaugural meeting's date with the 1977 World Cup in Düsseldorf. The exhibit highlights the meeting’s role in the professionalization of athletics, and its evolution through the Golden Series, Grand Prix, Golden Four, Golden League, and the Diamond League, which is set to return to Brussels for the 2026 Final.
At the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sylvia Barlag of World Athletics noted the long relationship between the federation and the Memorial Van Damme since its founding. Barlag also shared personal memories of competing at the meeting in 1980 and training in Belgium. The opening was led by Kim Gevaert, current meeting director and 2008 Olympic 4x100m champion.