International
Rutger Smith leaves Flemish athletics federation after controversy surrounding Nafi Thiam
Rutger Smith has resigned with immediate effect as elite sports coordinator at the Flemish athletics federation. The Dutch former shot putter had been under fire in Flanders for a long time due to centralization plans and a conflict with world-class athlete Nafi Thiam. The situation led to ongoing controversy, ultimately resulting in Smith’s departure. The federation and Smith have not provided further details about the exact reasons or the nature of the dispute. The announcement was made on 2026-09-10.
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