Just days after the IAAF World Indoor Championships where he won two world titles, Alexander Dohm was on hand at Klein-Brugel Air Base on Wednesday for the Defense Action Day. After all, the two-time world champion has a major sports contract with the army. “Defense provides a lot of security,” he says to Sporza.
The Army has been offering Belgium's top athletes the opportunity to play their sport full-time for about 20 years. There is room on defense for a maximum of 30 athletes.
Alexander Dom has been one of them for about three years. The two-time world champion will therefore also be present at Kleine Brogel on Wednesday, on the defensive work day.
“The request to come here came a few weeks ago,” he says to Sporza. “I quickly said yes, because I received my training here. It's good to be here again and show people the best of sports and defence.”
Our best athletes are our ambassadors. If they perform well, it's also good for the image of the defence.
Frederick van Laerde
But what should a great athlete do in the army? “For us, these athletes are really ambassadors,” explains Frederik van Lierde on De Ochtend on Radio 1. The former athlete himself had a major sports contract with the Ministry of Defense during his active career and now coordinates the best athletes for the army.
“If our athletes do well, it's also good for the image of the defense,” she said. “When someone like Alexander Doum wins two world titles, we are also present in the media in a good way. It is important for us to be able to inspire others.”
“Alexander was the star last weekend. Everyone is rooting for him and feeling proud. He is a good ambassador for our organisation. It is definitely an added value for the Ministry of Defense to invest in major sport.”
Job security is a nice bonus. Even after my distinguished sporting career, I have a bright future in defence.
Alexander Dom
Top defense athletes first follow an 11-week training course to become soldiers. They then have the opportunity to practice their sport full-time and strive for the best possible performance.
“I've had a contract with Defense since the Tokyo Games,” says Dom. “These are two-year contracts, which also removes a lot of psychological pressure. They trust me here. Defense gives me a lot of security.”
Dom is also looking beyond his athletic career, because there are many opportunities for athletes to continue working in defense after playing sports. “This job security is a great bonus,” says Dom. “Now sports is my main job, but even after that I have a bright future in defence.”
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