Femke Bol has followed in the footsteps of her arch-rival, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. However, instead of switching to the 400m dash, the Dutch hurdler has opted for middle-distance running.
Instead of competing in the 400m hurdles, Bol will now represent the Netherlands in the women’s 800m. She will continue to represent the Dutch squad in the relay events.
Femke Bol Reveals How 400m Hurdles Helped Her Out In The Big Transition
In an interview for the Instagram channel all4runningstore, Bol discussed her new 800m event and how her previous experience in the 400m hurdles helped her transition smoothly. The Olympic champion mentioned in the interview,
“This year I decided to move from the 400m hurdles to the 800 meters. I think the idea started forming in my mind after the Olympics, but I wanted to finish the 400 hurdles properly, and really think through the decision. But I felt that I had achieved so many beautiful things in the 400 hurdles. I also think the athlete I’ve become through the 400 hurdles is what gives me the confidence to take on the 800 [meters] now. And I felt ready for a new and different challenge.”
Bol was last seen in action at the Tokyo World Championships. The 25-year-old Dutch athlete won a medal of each color, with a gold medal in the 400m hurdles, a silver medal in the mixed relay, and a bronze medal in the women’s 4x400m relay event.
Femke Bol’s Performance From Paris Olympics To Transition To 800m
Bol had an interesting campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics. While she couldn’t outpace her rival McLaughlin-Levrone in the 400m hurdles finals, she clinched her second consecutive bronze medal.
The then 24-year-old athlete won a silver medal as part of the women’s 4x400m relay team and surprised everyone by winning the gold medal in the 4x400m mixed relay, creating a new European record in the process.
Following the Paris Olympics, Bol aimed for a stronger 2025 season, and she delivered on her targets. The 25-year-old athlete opened her season with a bang at the European Indoor Championships, winning both the mixed relay events and the women’s 4x400m relay events.
Bol was one of the few athletes who didn’t sign up for the coveted Grand Slam Track League. However, she made a solid impression at the Diamond League, making a clean sweep in all the hurdle events she participated in. The Dutch athlete won her fifth consecutive Diamond League title by clinching the gold medal at the Zurich Diamond League finals. She ended her season on a golden note at the Tokyo World Championships.