Belgium has returned home with a beaming smile, filled with renewed satisfaction after a standout performance at Paris 2024. With a delegation of 172 athletes, the European team achieved a feat not seen in nearly a century.

Of these 172 competitors, 167 actively participated in the events, with 92 standing out by placing in the top eight in their respective disciplines, earning an Olympic diploma. This reflects a remarkable 54.8% success rate among the Belgian athletes.

The team secured a total of 10 medals, including 3 gold, 1 silver, and 6 bronze, excelling in a wide range of disciplines. Notably, Belgium received Olympic diplomas in 14 of the 21 sports represented, including the three teams that reached the Top 8. This ascent to prominence was achieved across six different sports, highlighting the versatility and strength of the Belgian delegation, as well as the significant progress being made in nurturing young talent.

These Olympics have also been historic for the small European nation, as the delegation was the largest since the Amsterdam Games in 1928. This record underscores the commitment and ongoing development of sports in the country, cementing Paris as an unforgettable city for the Belgians. 

The notable performance across multiple disciplines and the increase in medal count demonstrate significant progress in Belgian sports and bode well for future international competitions. Results in sports like cycling and athletics, where Belgium has traditionally had strong competitors, reflect progress in these fields, while performance in team events highlights strength and teamwork. Nevertheless, they also excelled in the individual event. Proof of this is Nafissatou Thiam, the heptathlon specialist, who was crowned a three-time Olympic champion in Paris.

It is also worth noting the special mention for cyclist Remco Evenepoel, who made history at Paris 2024 by becoming the first man to win both the time trial and the road race at the same Olympics. After a moment of concern due to a mechanical issue just a few kilometers from the finish, Evenepoel raised his left hand in celebration as he crossed the finish line. With a time of 6:19:34, he spectacularly claimed gold beneath the Eiffel Tower.

In terms of historical medal counts, Belgium is not considered a major power. It remains in 25th place with 176 Olympic medals, far from its best performance, which took place at the Antwerp Games in 1920, where it won 36 medals, including 14 golds. However, Belgium has managed to widen the gap with its closest rival in the rankings, Türkiye, which is now in 26th place. The Euro-Asian nation has been in free fall in recent Olympic commitments: two medals in Paris 2024 and no golds.

Brazil, on the other hand, threatens Belgium’s position, as it has accumulated around 20 medals each summer across the last three Olympics (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024). This is a frenetic pace. In the world of sports, however, the focus is always on moving forward, and Denmark, ranked 24th, which is also not in its best form, is just one gold medal away from Belgium.