“Empathy and 'believing in' were strongly present in this Salesian school,” says Kim. “There was attention for the complete development of the child. The school tried to bring out the talents of the students and you could do what you were interested in. I definitely felt that.”
“I still remember how I was the weak link in the volleyball team at school, at least that's how I felt. Eventually, I became one of the stronger runners on the national relay team, but I was very good at empathizing with people when they made a mistake or were not in the best of shape. I never pointed the finger, but understood how that person felt. That empathy and humility are things I have acquired here.”
The former student and athlete, European Champion in the 100 and 200 meter dash in Gothenburg 2006 and Gold Medalist in the 4x100 relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, adds: “I also enjoyed the moments of reflection. In the sixth year, we went on a weekend silent retreat with the sisters. Then we had to be quiet and go to Mass with them at four o'clock in the morning. Moments like that broaden your view. Those people choose such a life and I could understand that. I think it's important, as a parent, to counterbalance all the misery that children see. Through faith, you give them a sort of something to hold on to. In the end, they choose what to do with it later on. Maybe nothing, but maybe they need that something to hold on to in order to learn to reflect or to calm down. I raise my children Catholic, but with a broad view of the world. Faith, what is it?', 'What does it do to me?' That broader view of faith and of the world, that is our starting point.”
Kim has also been dedicating herself for some time to underprivileged youth in Congo. “My husband and I wanted to do something for the children in his native Congo,” says Kim. “I know very well that we grew up in a warm family with lots of opportunities. As we get older, you realize more and more that we were lucky. For many children, that is not the case. That is why I wanted to give something back to society by dedicating myself to the youth in Congo.”
This article is an excerpt from an article that appeared in Don Bosco magazine, the magazine for the Salesian Family of the Province of Belgium North (BEN).
Here also two video-links:
Where Kim wins the European Championship 200m for the 2nd time.
And when Kim and her team receive the gold medal of the 2008 Olympics.
