Brussels sports

Brussels has over 250 sports facilities within its territory, hundreds of fitness centers, kilometers of cycling paths, and hectares of green spaces where it is possible to freely indulge in all forms of sports. Crossed by the Brussels Canal, our capital also attracts water sports enthusiasts; such as rowing, which seduces more people every year. On the asphalt side, skateboarding and rollerblading, once alternative, now embody a street culture that many Brussels residents seem to appreciate, as evidenced by the growing success of the Roller Parade, which is celebrating its third edition today. Finally, the second edition of Brussels les Bains will also be an opportunity to celebrate Made in Brussels sports (see also Activities) [Report by Sébastien Pardon]. A sports center in Brussels We regretted not finding a place that centralizes the various sports activities organized in Brussels City. This has been rectified since the end of 2003, with the opening of the City of Brussels Sports House, a place that practically and didactically answers all questions regarding sports facilities - Brussels City has over 250 of them on its territory! It's an information and reception center, but also a registration, ticketing, and booking center... From July 23rd to August 22nd, the Sports House will be relocated to Brussels les Bains (Bassin Beco - Canal de Bruxelles - 1000), with a permanent presence every Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm, let it be known! [contact details removed] - www.maisondessports.be. Other information is also available from the Cocof sports department (www.cocof.be), a very complete and regularly updated list of the many sports facilities found across the four corners of our capital. The listing will soon be made available on the website in the form of a geographical map, making it more didactic. Brussels, a skate paradise? The City of Brussels had hoped to inaugurate a dedicated skate area on rue des Brigittines, between the buildings of Foyer bruxellois and the Chapelle train station, just before the summer holidays. Administrative problems worthy of a Kafka novel mean that the skate park's opening will only happen around October of this year... Besides the creation of gliding infrastructures, the project also includes the development of a raised terrace and, in the more or less near future, the renovation of the sports field located a few steps away. The skaters' collective, alias "Brusk," which was set up at the inception of the site's redevelopment project, will organize skateboarding initiation activities every Wednesday, as well as offering the possibility of renting the often very expensive specialized equipment. The ASBL Recyclart (Gare de la Chapelle), through its metal workshop, will have young people build the new ramps that will populate the site. A fine example of successful communication between young people and local public authorities. Roller Parade 2004 Who would have thought? The in-line roller skate, alias the rollerblade, is Belgian! Joseph Merlin, its inventor, will be honored in this 2004 edition of the Roller Parade to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the invention. As a reminder, and for those who don't know yet, gliding enthusiasts will meet every Friday until September 24th at Place Poelaert from 7 pm for a 20 km ride through the streets of Brussels, supervised by pros and police members. Specially trained for the occasion, they will accompany participants for added safety. The first 10 kilometers of the route will be accessible to everyone, provided you master the discipline; the remaining 10 kilometers will be for thrill-seekers. For those who don't understand anything but would like to try this sport, know that during the same period, Sundays (from 10 am to 5 pm) at Bois de la Cambre will be dedicated to gliding. Don't panic, the wood will be closed to car traffic for the occasion. Info: www.belgiumrollers.com KIOSK 07 & 08.2004 / 19