As Pigeon Boss, Jan de Wijs, I live for the sport of pigeon racing. The smell of the loft in the early morning, the sound of wings slicing through the air, the thrill of seeing a champion return—it’s my life. But today, I write with a broken heart. My thoughts are with Luc Odeurs, an icon in our sport, who has fallen victim to a cruel act. His 1st National Barcelona 2020 winner, a pigeon that made history, was stolen, along with 32 of his prized birds.
When I heard the news, I was speechless. How can you put into words what this means for someone like Luc? Years of dedication, countless sleepless nights of planning and caring, all to breed a pigeon that embodies not just speed but endurance and character. And now… now his loft stands empty. I feel the pain of this theft deep in my own heart.
Every Pigeon Fancier’s Worst Nightmare
Just the thought of my own best pigeons, my champions, being stolen sends shivers down my spine. I look at the loft where my pride, Celeste, resides and wonder: what if? What if someone with bad intentions had the audacity to break into my loft? The idea of losing pigeons with whom you’ve built such a deep bond is unbearable.
Luc’s story is yet another in a tragic series of thefts plaguing our community. The pigeon mafia seems relentless. These organized gangs don’t see our beloved sport as a passion but as a business. They target top pigeons that can be sold for astronomical sums abroad. They understand nothing about the soul of this sport—about the love we feel for our winged champions.
A Call for Justice
What has happened to Luc is not just his tragedy. It’s a blow to the entire pigeon racing world. We must come together as a community and send a strong message. Our pigeons are not commodities. They are family. It’s time to step up our security, to use technology like cameras and alarm systems. But above all, we must remain vigilant and support one another.
As Pigeon Boss, I want to raise my voice—not only to support Luc in these dark days but also to create awareness. This could happen to any of us. It’s up to us to ensure our sport is protected. Let’s never give up on our passion, our tradition, and our champions.
A Message to Luc Odeurs
Luc, I feel your pain. The sport of pigeon racing has given you so much, and now something unimaginable has been taken from you. Please know you are not alone. The entire pigeon racing community stands with you. Together, we will overcome these dark times. And who knows, perhaps your champions will still find their way back home, where they belong.
With a heavy heart,
Jan de Wijs
The Real Pigeon Boss
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