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15 th SPAR European Cross Country Championships
Brussels
15 th SPAR European Cross Country Championships
Brussels
2. MEDIA TEAM
Media and TV director
Media Centre responsible
Media Tribune Manager
Mixed Zone responsible
Photographers responsible
Flash interviews team
3. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BRUSSELS
3.1 Brussels, the heart of Europe
Lena De Meerleer
Michel Baeyens
Davy Alenteyns
Eric Cornu
Robert Van der Bruggen
Ivo Hendrickx
Franck Van Roost
Brussels is the largest city in Belgium, and the administrative heart of the European Union (EU). The City of
Brussels in the Brussels-Capital Region is the country's capital. Brussels has grown from a 10th century
fortress town founded by Charlemagne's grandson into a city of over one million inhabitants.
Brussels is also capital of the Brussels-Capital Region, of Flanders and of the French Community of
Belgium. It is not, however, the capital of the Walloon Region (Wallonia), whose capital is Namur.
Depending on the context, the word Brussels may mean the largest municipality of the Brussels-Capital
Region officially called the City of Brussels and contains 145.917 inhabitants, the Brussels-Capital Region
with 1.031.215 inhabitants or, the metropolitan area of Brussels (ca. 1,350,000 inhabitants).
Brussels is often considered the de facto capital of the European Union, and hosts key EU institutions
such as the Commission, Parliament and the Council.
Area: 33 km2
Language: French and Dutch, almost everyone is able to speak English
Currency: Euro
Religion: predominantly catholic or non-religious
Time zone: GMT +1
Electricity specification: 220V 16amp, 2 pin euro plug
Telephone country code: + 32
Mobile Phone Network: Proximus, Mobistar, Base
Driving: on the right
Water quality: excellent drinking water from the tap
Health: vaccinations are not required
3.2. The Laken Park Course
The Laken Park is a wonderful piece of land that offers a vast space for a stroll in the presence of
splendid greenery and water. The site is located in a way that allows to enjoy a view on the city but
what is more attractive is the view on the imposing Royal Palace of Laken building. The 26 hectares of
greenery include on its premises large lawns and shady groves of magnolias and chestnut trees as well
as undergrowth bushes such as hawthorns. The focal point of the Laken Park situated in the middle of
the otherwise modest landscape is an impressive monument of the Dynasty. This outstanding dazzling
Gothic style monument was erected in homage to Leopold I.
The Laken Park has years of cross country running tradition to look back on. Each year it is the venue for
the Iris Lotto CrossCup and in 2004 it was also the setting for the IAAF Cross Country World
Championships.
This park is a wonderful part of the history of Brussels, which has deliberately been built to incorporate
green areas as much as possible. The government and the royal family have been committed to
making sure that Brussels remains an environment that still has a connection with the environment from
which it has come.
3.3 Business hours in Brussels
Shops, Government Offices, Banks
Shops are generally open from 09.00 (10.00) – 18.00 Monday to Saturday. Supermarkets business hours
are variable. Some will be open from 08.00 – 20.00. On Saturdays and Sundays all Government Offices
and Banks are closed. On several places all over the town there are cash machines. All major pin passes
and credit cards such as Eurocard/Mastercard, American Express and Visa are accepted.
At the Railway Station of Brussels Midi there is a Bureau of Exchange. You can also use the Bureau of
Exchange at Brussels International Airport (Zaventem).
3.4 Public transport
With one company controlling the city's public transport, it is unsurprising that there is a high level of
integration between trams, buses and the metro.
Fares are standard for all forms of transport within Brussels, with a single ticket costing € 1.50; a fivejourney
card, € 6.50; and a ten-journey card, € 10. At € 3.80, the one-day travel card is excellent value,
offering unlimited travel on trains, trams and buses throughout all city districts until 01h00 the next day.
On weekends one card suffices for two people travelling together. Tickets are available from metro
stations, the tourist office and various newspaper kiosks.
The 3-day tourist pass offers free public transport as well as discounts on attractions within the city,
costing € 30. You can purchase it from tourist information offices and stations. For up to the minute
information on public transport, phone +32 (0)900-10-310.
The metro is arguably the most efficient way of getting around. It is quick, clean and easy to use, with
the final destination of the train marked at the entrance to the platform.
Taxis are plentiful in Brussels. Autolux (tel: +32 (0)2 512 3123; website: www.taxisautolux.be) is the official
taxi service in Brussels. These cars are marked with a blue and yellow plaque and travel from Brussels
Airport to the required destination in the city. In central Brussels, taxis are available at centrally located
ranks at the major railway stations and at the Bourse, Place de Brouckère and Porte de Namur.
Alternatively, you can hire taxis by telephone via radio taxi companies. These include Taxis Verts and
Taxis Orange (tel: +32 (0)2 349 4949; website: www.taxisverts.be) and Taxis Bleus (tel: +32 (0)2 268 0000;
website: www.taxisbleus.be).
4. ARRIVALS
4.1. Arrival by Air
Brussels Airport is the official airport for the 15th SPAR European Cross Country Championships. The Local
Organising Committee (LOC) guarantees transportation from Brussels Airport to the official Media Hotel.
Upon arrival journalists will be met by a representative of the LOC. A welcome desk will be located at
the airport. Opening hours will depend on the travel schedules.
After collecting their luggage journalists will be escorted to busses which will take them to the official
media hotel. The transfer time from the airport to the official hotel is 15 minutes depending on the
traffic conditions.
4.2 Arrival by Train
Bruxelles Midi (Brussels South) is the official train station for the 15th SPAR European Cross Country
Championships. There will be no Welcome Desk at the Bruxelles Midi railway station. Journalists arriving
by train will be met by LOC representatives and taken to the Media Hotel, according to the arrival
times given in the entry system.
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