Photo of the week: Farewell, Marieke
Flanders said goodbye to a champion this week, as top wheelchair athlete and euthanasia advocate Marieke Vervoort was laid to rest
Standing ovation
Vervoort was a top wheelchair athlete in numerous events, winning gold and silver medals at the Paralympics in 2012, followed by silver and bronze in 2016, and holding world and European records during her career. She suffered from an incurable degenerative disease of the muscles and spine, and was a champion of the right of people to undergo euthanasia.
Her medals were displayed at her funeral, alongside photos of her in action and during training with her service dog, Zenn, who attended the service. Friend and actor Tom Waes paid tribute by video and the floral wreaths included one from Jacques Rogge, former president of the International Olympic Committee.
At the end of the ceremony and as the coffin was carried from the room, there was a standing ovation. The order of service carried a quote from Vervoort reading: “Give me a heartfelt hug and I am the richest person in the world.”
Photos: Belga/Yorick Janssens
