5th September 2013 06:22
Borlée, who also won a bronze medal over one lap of the track at the 2011 World Championships, decided not to defend his title in Helsinki last year but ran in the 4x400m relay in which Belgium won the gold medals.
He ran what was then a European-leading time of 44.73 to win at the Belgian national championships in July but went out in the World Championships semi-finals in Moscow, and was usurped by his twin brother Jonathan who finished fourth in the Russian capital in a European-leading time of 44.54.
'The European Championships will be my big goal next year. In fact, it will be the goal of myself and my brothers. We hope all three of us be in the individual 400,' he commented, talking also about his younger sibling Dylan.
'This is quite feasible. Dylan was very hungry and has the most room for improvement of the three of us, but Jonathan and I, we are still trying to evolve always try to always run a little faster. '
The trio will make a little bit of history at the IAAF Diamond league final on Friday when they all line up in the 400m, the first time three brothers have done so in either a Diamond League event or its modern predecessors, the Golden League or IAAF Grand Prix.
'But unlike in the relay, it will be every man for himself on Friday. We are so focused during the race that you cannot pay any attention to others. This year, the race is not a Diamond Race. But the Van Damme Memorial (named after the great Belgian runner of the 1970s), is in a great stadium and has a great audience. We'll try to rise to the occasion,' he added.
'Last week the Diamond Race final in Zurich, I was never in the race (finishing seventh in 45.59). I hope to have my usual legs on Friday because it is still the Memorial Van Damme. We are at home here, we want to do well, even if I'm tired after the World Championships and the entire season was complicated,' reflected Kevin.
The Borlee's father and coach Jacques Borlée was also speaking in Brussels this week.
'This is the first time in their lives that Jonathan, Kevin and Dylan will all on the same individual race. As a father, it will be a great moment for me to see my three sons present on the same race at the Memorial Van Damme.
'Though Dylan looked good earlier in the season, I never thought I would see all three together as early as this Memorial Van Damme. He (Dylan) is finishing strong, so it's going to put a little pressure on the other two.'
'Kevin and Jonathan are still very tired of the World but I have already called upon the local fans to encourage them strongly on Friday. I'm counting on them to try and help my sons to run fast.'
'We have two advantages over our competitors: the public support and the fact we don't have to travel. Going abroad is indeed always tiring,' added Jacques Borlée, wearing his coach's hat.