Gitte Haenen

Gitte Haenen
Personal information
Born (1986-03-23) 23 March 1986 (age 38)
Mortsel, Belgium
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight60 kg (132 lb)
Sport
Country Belgium
SportParalympic athletics
Disability classT63
Event(s)100 metres
Long jump
ClubKAA Ghent
Coached byMieke van Thuyne
Medal record
Paralympic athletics
Representing  Belgium
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2019 Dubai Women's long jump T63
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Dubai Women's 100m T63
European Championships
Silver medal – second place 2018 Berlin Women's long jump T63
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Berlin Women's 100m T63

Gitte Haenen (born 23 March 1986) is a Belgian Paralympic athlete who competes in 100 metres and long jump events in international level events. She is also a former paratriathlete and Thai boxer competing in an elite level.[1]

In 2010, Haenen was involved in an accident in a Thai boxing training session. She was accidentally kicked in the left knee which tore her anterior cruciate ligament and had to have many operations and rehabilitation, however in 2014, her left knee worsened and Haenen suffered with chronic pain and nerve damage and was prescribed morphine for her injury. She was forced to give up boxing and her left leg was amputated above the knee in March 2016.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Gitte Haenen - IPC Athlete Bio". ipc.infostradasports.com. 9 April 2020.[dead link]
  2. ^ "Gitte Haenen na EK-medailles: "Amputatie was beste beslissing"". sporza.be (in Dutch). 27 August 2018.