Hanne Desmet

Hanne Desmet is a Belgian short track skating star. She became the Belgian all-round champion in 2018 after winning all individual distances, and in 2019 she took part in the European Championships, winning the silver medal in the 3000 meters event. She has represented Belgium at numerous international competitions, finishing 13th in the 1000 meters at the 2018 World Championships in Montreal, Canada and placing an impressive fourth place in the 1500 meters at the 2017 World Cup in Minsk, Belarus and securing fourth place once again at the World Cup in Dresden. In 2018-19 she finished 10th Overall at the World Championships, proving she is one of the best short track skaters in the world. In 2015 Desmet received the Sports Merit Trophy in Wilrijk, Belgium.

Born in Mechelen, Belgium, Desmet is the older sister of short track skating star Stijn Desmet, and took up the sport after her brother was scouted by Belgian team coach Pieter Gysel . When she was 11 years old she took up short track with the Ice Racing Team Antarctica club in Wilrijk, and began to rise through the junior ranks.

Since moving into senior level competition, Desmet has consistently performed well in National, European and International competitions. She is now focussing on her ambition to compete for Belgium at the next Winter Olympic Games in Beijing in 2021.