Gitte Haenen
A knee injury and several subsequent surgeries damaged Gitte’s knee to the extent that an amputation was unavoidable.
A knee injury and several subsequent surgeries damaged Gitte’s knee to the extent that an amputation was unavoidable.
When crisis makes you stronger
Gitte loves sports. She started Thai boxing at the age of 18 and won silver and bronze medals at European and World Championships. In 2010, a kick to her knee resulted in a torn anterior cruciate ligament. A complicated journey began, with eight operations in six years. The nerves in Gitte’s knee were irreparably damaged and she could no longer walk. In 2016, the amputation of her left leg above the knee brought her back into life.
“I’d already had to overcome a lot of obstacles and setbacks in life. In these situations, I stand by my motto: When life punches you, punch back harder. And I am blessed and grateful for the support I have around me and to be an Ottobock ambassador."
Gitte Haenen tested her first running prosthesis two weeks after she left the hospital, started practising triathlon and joined an athletics club.
Gitte Haenen, Para-Leichtathletin und Ottobock Botschafterin“I’m grateful to witness all the amazing things athletes with a disability can achieve. Being part of this world makes me feel thankful and proud. It’s nice to have others as an example and to be an example for others myself. So together we can show the world the strength and dedication we have and what a team we are."
The love of sports triumphs
Just 16 months after her amputation, Gitte competed at the World Para Athletics Championships in London and placed fourth in the 100 metre sprint. She continued to win the silver medal in long jump and the bronze medal in 100 metres at the European Championships in Berlin in 2018 and the World Championships in Dubai in 2019.
At her first Paralympic Games in Tokyo, she finished ninth in her long jump event.
Key facts
Nation: Belgium
Year of birth: 1986
Sport: Para athletics – 100 m, long jump
Classification: T63
Coach: Mieke Van Thuyne
Club: KAAG
Victories and achievements
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games:
9th place in the long jump
World Para Athletics Championships Dubai 2019:
Silver medal in the long jump
Bronze medal in the 100 metres
World Para Athletics Championships London 2017:
4th place in the 100 metres
European Para Athletics Championships Berlin 2018:
Silver medal in the long jump
Bronze medal in the 100 metres