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Belgian Tornados take on new challenge

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It was the final event of the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Prague in March - and what a way for the competition to end.

With a time of 3:02.87, Belgium’s 4x400m men stormed to gold in a European record.

The quartet of Julien Watrin and the three Borlée brothers - Dylan, Jonathan and Kevin - showed the essence of team work as they beat Poland (3:02.97) and the Czech Republic (3:04.09).

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Now they are taking that bonding to another level as they prepare for next summer, with the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam and Olympic Games in Rio.

The squad is called the Belgian Tornados and along with other key members Antoine Gillet and Robin Vanderbemden, they have gone hiking in the Grand Canyon in North America.

Back in 2011, they went on a similar team-building exercise in the Arctic and now they are undertaking this fresh challenge in the 277-mile long canyon by the Colorado River in Arizona.

It is a tough, team-working exercise but one which the past has put them in good stead for. As Jonathan Borlée told dhnet.be: 'When we experienced what we experienced in Iceland in 2011, we no longer fear (as) much.'

The mission involves cycling and hiking and dhnet.be are following their progress.

As one of the Tornados’ guides said: 'During the descent of the North Kaibab Trail… do not let yourself go too much, rather make very small steps, as if it was a game. Believe me, your legs will thank you later when ascending to the Rim.'

Fast forward to 6.50pm on Sunday 10 July next year, the last event in Amsterdam, the men’s 4x400m final. What the Belgian Tornados are putting themselves through should play a part in the strength and team ethics needed in their next bid for European gold.




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