Bart Swings wins National Sports Merit Award 2023

Speed skater Bart Swings has won the Belgian National Sports Merit Award 2023. The award, created and awarded by the City of Brussels, is a prize for Belgian athletes or sports teams.

The jury of the National Sports Merit Award chose Bart Swings after his gold medal in the mass start and bronze medal in the 5000m at the World Speed Skating Championships, and his 4 gold medals at the Inline Speed Skating World Championships.

Sports prize of the City

The National Sports Merit Award (Trophée National du Mérite Sportif) exists since 1933. The City of Brussels, the capital of Belgium, decided to create the prize for Belgian athletes or sports teams who distinguished themselves. A jury of former sports champions like Eddy Merckx and Paul Van Himst, chaired by the Mayor of Brussels, selects a winner each year. An athlete can win the prize only once.

Laureats of the National Sports Merit Award since 2000

  • 2000: Joël Smets (motocross)
  • 2001: Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin (tennis)
  • 2002: Marc Wilmots (football)
  • 2003: Stefan Everts (motocross)
  • 2004: Axel Merckx (cycling)
  • 2005: Tom Boonen (cycling)
  • 2006: Kim Gevaert and Tia Hellebaut (athletics)
  • 2007: Kim Gevaert, Hanna Mariën, Olivia Borlée and Elodie Ouédraogo (athletics)
  • 2008: not awarded
  • 2009: Philippe Gilbert (cycling)
  • 2010: Philippe Le Jeune (equestrian)
  • 2011: Kevin Borlée (athletics)
  • 2012: Evi Van Acker (sailing)
  • 2013: Frederik Van Lierde (triathlon)
  • 2014: Daniel Van Buyten (football)
  • 2015: 4x400m relay (athletics)
  • 2016: Nafissatou Thiam (athletics)
  • 2017: David Goffin (tennis)
  • 2018: Nina Derwael (gymnastics)
  • 2019: Red Lions (hockey)
  • 2020: Wout van Aert (cycling)
  • 2021: Bashir Abdi (athletics)
  • 2022: Remco Evenepoel (cycling)
  • 2023: Bart Swings (speed skating)
Created on 19/10/2023 (modified on 19/10/2023)
Bart Swings wins National Sports Merit Award 2023