Latest news with #Courtois'
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
‘Illness cannot stop us', cancer survivor Lina Courtois inspires at World Aquatics Masters
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – Lina Courtois, 74, is a breast cancer survivor. For this feisty veteran athlete, age and condition are no barriers when it comes to sport. At the July 26-Aug 22 World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore, the Quebec native competed in not one, but three different disciplines: open water swimming, artistic swimming and swimming. The meet was her first appearance on the international stage since she began her first rounds of chemotherapy in 2023 – she was first diagnosed in December 2022. When asked why she chose to compete in three categories, Courtois' quick-fire response was 'why not?'. That same defiant spirit has seen her through challenges – both in and out of the water – such as her battle with breast cancer. The Canadian said: 'I want to prove that illness cannot stop us. It can slow us down, but we can still keep training. 'I want to participate to give hope to others who have cancer too. I want to show a (cancer) diagnosis is never the end.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 100 people being investigated for vape offences, say MOH and HSA Singapore Bukit Merah fire: Residents relocated as town council carries out restoration works Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What are the fire safety rules for PMDs? Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport in South Korea Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans? Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength Her love for swimming began in the lakes in Quebec when she was 16. The former physical education teacher competed in local events, and subsequently in Masters competitions around the world. This is Courtois' fourth outing at the World Aquatics Masters Championships after Italy (2012), Montreal (2014) and Budapest (2017). She did not go to the last two editions in Japan (2023) and Doha (2024) owing to her cancer diagnosis. In July 2023, she had her right breast removed and it has been 'good news' for the last two years, she added. In addition to the 3km open water race, Courtois competed in the solo technical and solo free (artistic swimming), and swam in the 800m freestyle, and 200m and 400m medley. She decided to compete in three disciplines as she relishes the peace of the open water, the precision of artistic swimming, and the challenge of improving her swimming times. Lina Courtois after her artistic swimming events in solo technical and solo free. She defied her cancer diagnosis to compete in Singapore. PHOTO: COURTESY OF LINA COURTOIS In the 3km event on July 26, Courtois was one of 10 swimmers who competed in the 70–74 age group, through she did not finish as the rules state that participants have to complete the first 1.5km in 45 minutes in order to proceed to the second lap. But beyond the times, scores, and laps she has recorded in Singapore, it is her grace and grit that have truly embodied her warrior spirit. Courtois said: 'During the last World Championships, I watched from my hospital bed because of chemotherapy. My oncologist told me that I had to pause my competition. But I decided that I would get my revenge on the disease. I decided that I would thumb my nose at cancer.' Her coach Sandrine Lemire told Canadian broadcaster Ici Radio-Canada Tele that she is inspired by her charge's work ethic. Lemire said: 'Despite her illness, she worked really hard and was there for every training session. She always has a smile on her face. She would have chemotherapy in the morning, then came to train in the evening, and she always had a big smile on her face. It was really inspiring to see.' Lina Courtois competed in the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore. PHOTO: SINGAPORE 2025 While Courtois has come to accept that her strength and speed are not the same as before – she spent less time training in the pool while undergoing treatment – she found resolve instead. It is the message she hopes to send to others, even as she returns to Canada with no medals around her neck. 'After my cancer, my doctor told me to forget all competition for the future so for me, it is mission accomplished to compete in all the events I did,' said Courtois. 'I want to tell others who have cancer, to not say 'I am sick and I am going to sleep'. Keep your dreams alive. After my cancer, I had to accept and adapt. I kept going and I am here. I treat each training and each moment in the water as victory.' The World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore will see around 6,000 athletes aged 25 and above from about 100 countries and territories competing in swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, and open water swimming.
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Thibaut Courtois out of Belgian squad for World Cup qualifiers
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has withdrawn from the squad for its opening two World Cup qualifiers this month because of a back injury. The player's club Real Madrid said on Sunday that he had been diagnosed with sacroiliitis - inflammation of one or both sacroiliac joints in the area where the lower back and pelvis meet. 'The medical staff of Real Madrid and the Royal Belgian Football Association have discussed Thibaut Courtois' back problems intensively in the past period,' the Belgian association added in a statement. 'Both medical staffs have come to the conclusion that the goalkeeper is not fit for the upcoming internationals.' The injury may also jeopardise Courtois' chances of playing at the Club World Cup in the United States, where Real Madrid open their campaign in Miami on June 18 against Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia. Uncapped Nordin Jackers from Club Brugge will replace Courtois in the Belgian squad for the matches against North Macedonia in Skopje on Friday and at home to Wales next Monday. Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels is expected to take Courtois' place in goal for the two Group J fixtures.
Business Recorder
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Courtois out of Belgian squad for World Cup qualifiers
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has withdrawn from the squad for their opening two World Cup qualifiers this month because of a back injury. The player's club Real Madrid said on Sunday that he had been diagnosed with sacroiliitis – inflammation of one or both sacroiliac joints in the area where the lower back and pelvis meet. 'The medical staff of Real Madrid and the Royal Belgian Football Association have discussed Thibaut Courtois' back problems intensively in the past period,' the Belgian association added in a statement. 'Both medical staffs have come to the conclusion that the goalkeeper is not fit for the upcoming internationals.' The injury may also jeopardise Courtois' chances of playing at the Club World Cup in the United States, where Real Madrid open their campaign in Miami on June 18 against Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia. Uncapped Nordin Jackers from Club Brugge will replace Courtois in the Belgian squad for the matches against North Macedonia in Skopje on Friday and at home to Wales next Monday. Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels is expected to take Courtois' place in goal for the two Group J fixtures.
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Courtois out of Belgian squad for World Cup qualifiers
BELGIUM goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has withdrawn from the squad for their opening two World Cup qualifiers this month because of a back injury. The player's club Real Madrid said on Sunday that he had been diagnosed with sacroiliitis -- inflammation of one or both sacroiliac joints in the area where the lower back and pelvis meet. 'The medical staff of Real Madrid and the Royal Belgian Football Association have discussed Thibaut Courtois' back problems intensively in the past period,' the Belgian association added in a statement. 'Both medical staffs have come to the conclusion that the goalkeeper is not fit for the upcoming internationals.' The injury may also jeopardise Courtois' chances of playing at the Club World Cup in the United States, where Real Madrid open their campaign in Miami on June 18 against Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia. Uncapped Nordin Jackers from Club Brugge will replace Courtois in the Belgian squad for the matches against North Macedonia in Skopje on Friday and at home to Wales next Monday. Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels is expected to take Courtois' place in goal for the two Group J fixtures.
The Star
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Courtois out of Belgian squad for World Cup qualifiers
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier - Group F - Belgium v Austria - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - June 17, 2023 Belgium's Thibaut Courtois in action REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo (Reuters) -Belgium goalkeeper ThibautCourtois has withdrawn from the squad for their opening two World Cup qualifiers this month because of a back injury. The player's club Real Madrid said on Sunday that he had been diagnosed with sacroiliitis -- inflammation of one or both sacroiliac joints in the area where the lower back and pelvis meet. "The medical staff of Real Madrid and the Royal Belgian Football Association have discussed Thibaut Courtois' back problems intensively in the past period,' the Belgian association added in a statement. "Both medical staffs have come to the conclusion that the goalkeeper is not fit for the upcoming internationals.' The injury may also jeopardise Courtois' chances of playing at the Club World Cup in the United States, where Real Madrid open their campaign in Miami on June 18 against Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia. Uncapped Nordin Jackers from Club Brugge will replace Courtois in the Belgian squad for the matches against North Macedonia in Skopje on Friday and at home to Wales next Monday. Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels is expected to take Courtois' placein goal for the two Group J fixtures. (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cairo; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
