A beautiful love story in the world of Belgian athletics. Nafi Thiam is in a relationship with Michael Van der Plaetsen, 40, her coach for three years and with whom she works closely in South Africa.

In October 2022, after fourteen years of collaboration, Nafi Thiam left her then-coach, Roger Lespagnard, for Michael Van der Plaetsen. She explained that she needed a new environment to progress further, and that she found this in South Africa, where Van der Plaetsen lives and trains.

Thiam spent a lot of time in Stellenbosch, South Africa. This is where their romance began some time ago. Thiam, now 31, and Van der Plaetsen, 40, fell in love. The heptathlete is very discreet about her private life, and her management refuses to comment on the affair, as it is a private matter.

Early in her career, Thiam briefly dated decathlete Niels Pittomvils. She's not the first woman to have a relationship with a coach. Tia Hellebaut also had an affair with her coach, Wim Vandeven, who led her to the Olympic title.

Michael Van der Plaetsen is the brother of former decathlete Thomas Van der Plaetsen, gold medalist at the 2016 European Athletics Championships. He is also the brother of Helena van der Plaetsen, one of Thiam's two managers.

A week ago, Van der Plaetsen attacked the Belgian Athletics Federation, shortly after Nafi Thiam withdrew from the heptathlon. “I'm ashamed to be Belgian. Other countries come to us to apologize. They ask us how this is possible. There is simply no explanation. It's unacceptable.”