Nolf's father doesn't want autopsy on son

Friederik Nolf died during the Tour of Qatar due to natural causes (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Freddy Nolf, father of deceased rider Frederiek Nolf, has said that he does not want to have an autopsy performed on his son. Nolf's body is expected to arrive in Belgium on Tuesday.

"Out of respect for Frederiek, we see no sense" in an autopsy to determine the cause of death, Freddy Nolf told nieuwsblad.be. "He has gone to sleep in a peaceful, natural manner. It is time to leave Frederiek to his rest."

He added, "What will it bring if we learn the exact cause? Nothing. Frederiek will not return because of it."

Belgian and Qatari doctors have already established that he died a natural death, and therefore there is no legal requirement for an autopsy.

Nolf is scheduled to be buried in his hometown of Kuurne, and organisers of the Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne race on March 1 have already scheduled a tribute to him. "During the neutral phase we will make a detour along the Hulsestraat to stop at Frederiek Nolf's parents' house. We will make a tribute to him there, assuming that Freddy and Mimi Nolf agree to it," said race secretary Filiep Verhelst.

Nolf's memory will also be honoured in Qatar, as the race organisers there have announced that future winners of the fifth stage will receive the "Frederiek Nolf Trophy." Nolf died before the fifth stage of this year's race.(SW)

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