"Belgium Rollers": Ostend and Huy participate for the first time

(BELGA) = The cities of Ostend and Huy will participate for the first time this summer in the 'Belgium Rollers' event, which took place for the first time last year after an initial exclusively Brussels edition in 2002. The organizers announced this on Wednesday. In Huy, a tribute will also be paid to the inventor of the in-line roller skate, Joseph Merlin, on the occasion of the two-hundredth anniversary of the roller skate. Eight Belgian cities, namely Brussels, Hasselt, Ghent, Ostend, Koksijde, Mons, Namur, and Huy, will welcome amateur roller skaters this year, clarified Brussels mayor Freddy Thielemans on Wednesday during a press conference. Brussels is the only city that will lay out a 20-kilometer course every Friday evening for four months - from June 4 to September 24. The start will be given, just like in previous years, at 8 p.m. on Poelaertplein, right opposite the Palace of Justice. However, from 7 p.m., there will be plenty of entertainment. Although all participants are welcome, the organizers emphasize that good safety is essential. All skaters must have braking skills and wear the proper protection, such as wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, and helmets. Anyone wishing for more information about the event or the program can visit the website www.belgiumrollers.com. Belga