Belgian Paralympic athletes ‘catwalk’ to Rio

Two Belgian para-athletes were honoured to be part of the event “Catwalk to Rio” that revealed the official Belgian delegation’s clothing for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Sprinter Livia De Clercq and cyclist Jean-François Deberg were among the 14 athletes who modelled the clothing during a fashion show at the Tour & Taxis in Brussels on 10 March. The event was hosted by the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (COIB), with some 800 supporters of Team Belgium gathered for a dinner with a fashion show that followed.

In Rio, Team Belgium will be dressed by fashion COIB partners: Terre Bleue and Ambiorix for formal occasions, Jako and Skechers for the Olympic and Paralympic Villages and when travelling.

Fedustria, the Belgian Federation of Textile Industry, provided the fabrics to Terre Bleue. Samsonite will provide the suitcases.

The theme of the Catwalk to Rio was 'Best of Belgium,' with the COIB ensuring that each aspect of the dinner and fashion show served a Belgian twist.

Franco Dragone and choreographer Marc Bogaerts helped put together an original creation combining sport and dance. The evening menu was prepared by Belgian chef Yves Mattagne. Belgian music producer Boris Daenen also known as Netsky provided music entertainment.

Photos from the “Catwalk to Rio” can be viewed on the Belgian Paralympic Committee’s Facebook page.