Happy birthday, dear friend.

17/05/2020, 2:07 PM

As sweat beaded on our foreheads, as a result of a nearly 10-kilometer run in 55 minutes, a moment of clarity emerged.

Our “Vision 2023” travels with Decathlon, combined with a personal commitment to exercise more with our families, underscored a growing need.?

We sought healthier venues for celebrations and corporate events, but most importantly, we aimed to make sports enjoyable and accessible to all.

At that moment, we understood our mission: to create an inclusive sports park.

This park would cater to all ages, all (sports) levels and genders, fostering a space where everyone could come together.?

It would bridge generations and promote physical activity in a fun and welcoming environment, creating a community united by the joy of sports.

At that moment, we understood our mission: to create an inclusive sports park.

Flash forward : 17/05/2024

Dear friend,

I am incredibly proud of you.?

Last week, we celebrated your first birthday, and I am filled with pride for our journey together.

I am immensely proud of your team.?

They are incredibly kind and warm individuals who support and protect you with immense love throughout your journey.

Cherish them, as they are your most precious asset.

However, there is still so much for us to learn together.?

Our dedicated sports enthusiasts have so much to offer, and we will work on improving every day.

Looking back on our story, I have experienced a wide range of emotions.

I have seen and felt every moment with you, and it has been a profound journey.

From the greatest heights, receiving countless positive reactions from over 120,000 visitors, to the deepest valleys filled with sleepless nights and moments of doubt.

From the greatest heights, receiving countless positive reactions from over 120,000 visitors, to the deepest valleys filled with sleepless nights and moments of doubt.

Now, on your 1st birthday, I wish to put you at the center: SparkX.

Your enthusiasm, shared by you and your visitors, is truly contagious.?

You bring light, joy and smiles.?

You bring people together.

All levels.

All generations. And this is precisely why you exist. You live up to your mission.

You bring people together. And this is precisely why you exist.

Keep challenging yourself.?

We are still far from realizing your full potential and what you can mean for the future.?

Despite the daily challenges encountered, you can be justifiably proud today.

I am very happy to be part of your team.

Happy birthday, precious friend.

Mathieu, on behalf of the whole SparkX' team.

PS. Just like 1,5 year ago, I would like to take the time to thank all the people who embraced you from day 1.

Together, we will strive to guide you as best as possible in your second year of life.

Thank you team Decathlon, for all the opportunities you gave me.

Thank you dear friends of Decathlon Belgium , for teaching me everything you did.

Faustino Rabasot Thibaut Peeters Bart Ongenaet Bart Standaert Wim Devos Rapha?l Mathonet Jeroen Depypere Gregory Crucifix Herman Van Beveren?Koen Damman, Jo Van Dessel Olivier Scouvemont Pieter Rutten Jeroen Vanmalcot Wim Van Hoecke Luk De Meester Christophe Pape Vincent ChabotBram Candries Benchy Pelgrims Gauthier Rousselle Wouter Eloot Stéphane Ratazzi Nicolas Deltenre Charles-Emmanuel Nelis Geoffrey Cassenaer Stijn Van Damme Félix Cambier Frederic De Clerck Frédéric Sterckx Romuald Saenen Thomas Lejeune Debarre Olivier Flament Julie Nevejan Gauthier Wyngaard Yannick Bonnast Olivier Cioe Erik Aerts Raf Coenen Koen Tengrootenhuysen Katrien Wuytack Joris Mareen Thomas Lefere Amaury Keusters Tim F. Van der Mensbrugghe Karel Van Beveren Kai Janssen Bohdan Lamon Diego Lacroix Louise Chekroun maarten corremans Kai Janssen BENOIT DELVAUX Yannick Belvaux Jérémy Pauliat, our friend Davio Lombardi ?

Thank you team DECATHLON FRANCE , for your warm welcome in 2016.

Frederic Boistard Jérémie SIINO Cécile Mousset Sylvain Tilly Antoine LE CUZIAT Benoit Fray William Lyszliewicz Emmanuel CASTIGLIONI William Lanigan Franck DEMARET Ana?s Mikulaniec Vincenzo Verhoeven Maarten Vermote

Thank you team Decathlon Vision 2030, for discovering the world together and the love I've felt from the start.

Charlie Felgate, Nathan Goddefroy Sophie Criquelion Jens De Boeck Blondet- Gonté Isabelle.

Thank you team Decathlon United, for your belief, trust and given freedom.

Franck Vigo Romain Mulliez Olivier CAMPION HELENE le cottier bonnave Patrick Dargent Olivier DUBAND, (my dear) Xavier R?and Fabien DERVILLE.

Thank you to all our supporters for your enthusiasm, loyalty and support in the most beautiful but also difficult moments.

Steven Van Belleghem Peter Hinssen mousa dembele Ann Wauters Hannelore Vens Rob Van Impe Seppe Smits Thomas Briels Félix Denayer Nick Celis Karim Bachar ianka fleerackers Anthony Kumpen Maarten Breckx Loena Hendrickx Jorik Hendrickx Marc Herremans Lieven Maesschalck Patrick Keusters Benoit Loos Vincent Maldague Dimitri Leemans Wim Moons Philip Lahey Dirk Wauters Steven Vandeput BNP Paribas Ann Baptist Jo Peeters VLAIO Tim Spiessens Sport Vlaanderen Kris De Coorde Stad Hasselt KCC Entertainment Design Ocular Corda INCubator Roel Mentens Raf Degens Hogeschool PXL HOWEST Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Limburg Gilles Naeyaert Cobelpro Belgium & LuxembourgBart Tans Mathieu Verheecke Devoteam Laurent Parmentier KU Leuven UZ Leuven Gert-Jan Bakx Gert Van Assche VDAB Yannick Verrycke Frédérique Joos Laura Rosseel Jasper Willems BERT VAN INGELGHEM Ethnicraft Eefje Battel ?????? ♀?Charlotte Van Tuyckom???? ♀??? Annelies Van Oost Tim Paridaens Michele Gabriel Dries Van den Cruyce Patrick Hermans steven putzeys Reinoud Van Assendelft de Coningh Jos Verschueren Axel Smits Zo? Vanden Brande SD Worx Belgium Bonka Circus I communication agency for positive changemakers Iris Warnants Julie Proesmans Klaas Gaublomme Lana Partous ZIGT Bepublic Group Sofie Santermans Bert Bouserie The Other Agency Pieter Aertgeerts Nina Troch Like Minds Sam De Cock Jonas Winand Paul Verbist Alexandre Ramos Tim Migom Thomas Van Halewyck Vincent Wauters Alberto Mucci 2Lite (Twilight Zone) bvba Merger Archimedes Architecture eeetwell Hans van Leeuwen Hans Keijmel Camiel Kraan LUIGIA DE IANNI Rudy Moenaert Mariska Blommaert Virginie Claes Yannick Renier Nele Van Damme Koenraad Belsack Philippe Huybrechs Patrick Hens Leen Van Looy Geert laeremans stijn geens Max Exelmans Rense Carremans yves walravens Philippe Simons and so many others..

In particular, thank you to my wonderful teammates, their patient partners & lovely children.

Michiel van Schaik Anja Swinnen Faust Govaert Anthony Keusters Wim Verreyken Cindy Parent Laurent S. Jarne Peeters Bere Jans Mark Muller Leen Van Looy Vincent Gommers MRICS

And finally,

Thank you to my precious family.

For being the spark in my life.

Let’s continue to spark together. ??

Mathieu