From losing her pre-camp spot just days before departure to training without her physiotherapist, Nafissatou Thiam has faced mounting hurdles off the track. And now, her buildup to the Tokyo World Championships has been overshadowed by a standoff with the Belgian Athletics Federation. The dispute has now spilled into the public eye. And the three-time Olympic champion did not hold back in her recent emotional remarks when her physiotherapist had to treat her on the sidewalk, just days before the start of the heptathlon.

Thiam’s troubles began when her pre-camp was left unvalidated because she hadn’t signed the mandatory code of conduct. She had no access to the gym or the track and was left without any accommodation. Thiam, during a presser on September 17th, claimed, “I also saw that it had been said that it was my choice if I hadn’t joined the team, but I want to be very clear: it wasn’t my choice at all and it was imposed on me!”

But the troubles kept rising for the Olympian. She revealed that her physiotherapist had to treat her on the sidewalk during her last training session. She also mentioned that her physiotherapist wouldn’t be there at the main competition (heptathlon events set to take place on September 19th and 20th), even though he travelled all the way from South Africa. Nafissatou Thiam revealed, “There is also the decision not to accredit my physiotherapist, who is here but cannot assist me in training. It is even more shocking for me because it is truly a decision aimed at negatively influencing my Championship and my preparation.” 

According to her, these outcomes are simply unjust. The 31-year-old has been representing Belgium for the last 15 years. But her faith stumbled when she didn’t agree with the rules that are “imposed on athletes” and wants nothing but respect from her nation. 

The code of conduct reportedly includes an image rights clause that prohibits the athletes from promoting their sponsors on social media during the event. Well, Thiam’s sponsors are direct competitors of the Belgian Athletics Federation. And that’s likely the root of all problems. However, the co-president of the Belgian Athletics Federation, Jessica Mayon, seemed to have a completely different picture. 

Belgian Athletics Federation responds to Nafissatou Thiam’s claims

The Belgian Athletics Federation stated a whole other story. Jessica Mayon dismissed Thiam’s claims and said, “I have written proof that it is not true. She was welcome (at the pre-camp). There was someone there to help her prepare for her camp, who was already there. So it is absolutely not true.”

Mayon confirmed that the Belgian athletes have access to a top-notch medical team with an excellent doctor and experienced physiotherapists. The Federation claimed that they came with a team of 47 athletes. But if we start differentiating them, it starts getting difficult. 

She continued, “If the discussion had been truly open and frank on both sides, a compromise could have been reached on the subject of image rights. In football, they all wear the national team kit and yet, they undoubtedly have obligations sometimes linked to private partners. It’s an issue that lives in a lot of federations… and they always manage to find solutions that suit everyone.”

But what do you think? Will this war between Nafissatou Thiam and the Belgian Athletics Federation come to an end anytime soon?