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Belgian athlete, 95, undergoes euthanasia
Belgium
11:32 09/01/2014
A 95-year-old European athletics champion underwent euthanasia yesterday – but not before holding a goodbye celebration of his life. Belgian Emiel Pauwels, who suffered from stomach cancer, marked his impending death with friends and family by raising champagne glasses two days before he died.
Pauwels’ son Eddy said that he “agreed 110% with Father” to end his life when prospects offered no hope. In Belgium, euthanasia is legal for adults and is set to soon become the second country in the world to allow it to minors. More than 1,400 people a year choose the option.
Last year Pauwels won the hearts of Belgians by winning the 60-metre sprint in the over-90 class at the European athletics championship. “I’ve had a beautiful life,” he told Flemish daily Het Nieuwsblad. “I had a fantastic wife and a wonderful son. … I have no fear of going.”
Bruges, Pauwels’ hometown, is planning to name a street after him.
