VUB-er Naomi Blomme (26) has founded the VUB Triathlon Team. This is a special club, as people with disabilities are also welcome. Naomi is visually impaired herself and finds in triathlon the perfect outlet. "Actually, it shouldn't be special that people with disabilities can join an ordinary sports club, it should be quite normal."
What do you do at VUB?
"I am a part-time practical assistant at the Faculty of Law and Criminology and am also voluntarily preparing a PhD on 'disability rights'. It examines the rights of people with disabilities in Belgium with regard to accessibility in general and particularly with regard to sport."
You yourself have a visual impairment.
"Due to my congenital condition, I am visually impaired. Whereas people with good vision can read something as early as ten metres, I can only do so from one metre. In addition, I also have no depth perception. Which of course does not aid coordination."
It doesn't stop you from playing sports.
"From the age of 12, until I started university, I played goalball in the national women's team. Goalball is a ball sport played by visually impaired people. Two mixed teams of three players compete against each other. Each player wears blinded goggles and the ball contains a bell. You score goals by rolling the ball along the ground into the opponent's goal. The opposing team's defenders try to stop the ball with their bodies."
When did you start triathlon?
"I started preparing for a first quarter triathlon a good year ago. But then I immediately encountered the problem that I need coaching to do the sport. Of course, I can train alone on bike rollers and I can also manage on the VUB athletics track on my own. Thanks to the VUB sports service, I have the opportunity to rent a track once a week where I can swim on my own. But a triathlon always takes place in an unfamiliar environment, where I need a companion for every part.
Fortunately, I found staff from the university willing to accompany me at the City Triathlon Leuven in May this year. Hanne Desmet, GP at the University Group Practice VUB to swim, Dirk Aerenhouts, professor at the Faculty of Physical Education and Kinesitherapy to cycle and immediate colleague Eline Labey, to run. We set a great time."
Then you also decided to set up a VUB Triathlon Team?
"True. We were all attached to VUB due to circumstances and thought it would be a great opportunity to take up the sport with more colleagues. VUB people who do triathlon, or want to start it, can join. Very welcome. We are also looking for companions for people with disabilities. These can also be people who only practice 1 part of the triathlon. The motto of the VUB Triathlon Team is also ' Leave No One Behind'.
A third group of people we want to attract are VUB teams. You can participate in many quarter triathlons with a team these days. Each participant then does his own part, making it a kind of relay. We challenge all departments and faculties to set up such a team."
How do you tackle a triathlon in practice with a visual impairment?
"With elastic and a tandem. In fact, when swimming, I am connected to the companion via a kind of rubber band. The tension on that elastic makes me feel if I'm going in the right direction, or if I'm deviating. When cycling, we use a tandem. The pilot steers and does the gears. And of course - please - he brakes. Walking actually works the same as swimming. With an elastic band in your hand or around your waist, you are connected to the companion. What you can't do swimming, but walking can: you can also get verbal instructions. 'Watch out for the pit, a bush with sharp needles or narrow path.' The guide also provides me with the necessary description about the surroundings and supporters. Very nice, I can say."
Sports for people with a disability, mental frailty or chronic condition are called g-sports. How important is g-sport to you?
"Indispensable. For me, g-sport is the time when I can completely relax, clear my head and mentally prepare myself for the next working hours and my PhD research. If I can't do that, then I get moody. For me, it's the way to take my mind off things. Someone else might be in the seat, I can't."
If you want to know more or are eager to join the VUB Triathlon Team, send an email to vubtriathlonteam@gmail.com