Belgium Rollers: around 100,000 participants in seven cities

(BELGA) = The "Belgium Rollers" parade, which for the first time took place simultaneously this summer in seven cities across the country, brought together a total of around 100,000 participants, organizer Carl De Moncharline said on Wednesday. "The assessment is more than positive and we are fully satisfied with the season," he told the Belga agency. "During the two summer months, almost every day, there was a parade somewhere in Belgium, in one of the seven participating cities. In total, this represents about fifty outings," added the organizer. On the spectators' side along the various routes, Carl De Moncharline (whose real name is De Rijck) quoted a total figure of 300,000 to 400,000 people. "In Namur and Hasselt, many curious onlookers had even brought folding chairs, tables, and flags to cheer on the participants... just like in the Tour de France!", he said. During the various parades, in addition to samples offered by sponsors, more than 200,000 candies were distributed by the organization. At the top of the ranking of cities where the parade received the warmest public welcome are Brussels (from 3,000 to 5,000 participants per edition), Namur and Hasselt tied (more than 1,000 participants), and Coxyde (4 dates, from 400 to 600 people each time). Next comes Mons, which stood out for its atmosphere (from 200 to 300 participants). At the bottom of the ranking, tied, Liege and Ghent bring up the rear (from 200 to 300 participants). For Carl De Moncharline, sufficient police supervision is necessary for the parade to be a success. Liege and Ghent did not have roller brigades or "roller cops". "In the next season, this is something we should try to change," he suggested. Another problem was the route, which was sometimes too decentralized, outside the city, or static. In addition to the police services mobilized by the municipalities, more than a hundred volunteers or "staffers" supervised the various parades. "Without them, such an organization would not have been possible, and I would particularly like to thank them... because it's not always easy to keep going!" The cities themselves are also satisfied, Mr. De Moncharline specified, indicating that certain local figures enjoyed participating every week in the event, and not only in their own city. Thus, the Alderman for Sports of Namur, for example, was present almost every time, wearing his roller skates. The only shadow on the picture: the number of interventions by emergency services. That is why Mr. De Moncharline insists on the usefulness of elbow and knee pads. "You have to count on 5 to 20 minor injuries per outing, and one to three evacuations to a hospital. In Brussels, this figure ranges between 8 and 10 evacuations per parade. These are fractures and concussions, at different levels," he specified. In July and August 2002, with five parades organized, more than 30,000 participants had been counted by the project promoters, including the City of Brussels. The Brussels brigade of police officers on skates, created for the occasion, was expanded in 2003 to 18 members, all volunteers. Their task is to supervise the participants at the front of the procession. Two parades are still organized occasionally on Friday 19 and Sunday 21 September. The first will take place in Brussels, on the occasion of Police Day (gathering at 7:00 p.m. at Hall 2 of the Brussels Exhibition Centre, departure at 8:00 p.m.). The second is part of "Mobility Week" and will be held in Mons, in the presence of Elio Di Rupo, mayor of the city (gathering at 2:00 p.m. on the Grand-Place in Mons, departure at 3:00 p.m.). Information: www.belgiumrollers.be.