Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and her long-time 400m hurdles rival, Femke Bol, continued to drive the excitement in the 2025 track season. McLaughlin-Levrone stunned the track world by stepping outside her signature event and taking on the 400m flat as she not only claimed the world title, but also produced a remarkable 47.78s, the second-fastest time in the event’s history.
Meanwhile, Bol also impressed, successfully defending her 400m hurdles world title in McLaughlin-Levrone’s absence. Their achievements didn’t go unnoticed, as McLaughlin-Levrone earned the prestigious World Athlete of the Year (Female Overall) award. In contrast, Bol earned another major accolade, becoming a finalist for the World Track Athlete of the Year.
Femke Bol Receives Top National Nomination After Missing Out on World Track Athlete of the Year Award
Although the Dutch sprinter and hurdler missed out on the top honor at the World Athletics Awards, she is now in contention for another significant recognition, the Dutch Sportswoman of the Year, an award she previously won in 2023.
The NOC*NSF, which oversees Dutch Olympic, Paralympic, and national sports programs, announced the nominees for this year’s Sportswoman of the Year category through an Instagram post, with Bol listed among the finalists.
Alongside Bol, the shortlist features an impressive lineup of Dutch talent – shot put world champion Jessica Schilder, all-around speed skating standout Joy Beune, 100m freestyle long course world champion Marrit Steenbergen, and track cycling star Lorena Wiebes, who successfully defended her scratch race world title.
A few of the 25-year-old’s standout achievements from the 2025 season helped propel her to the nomination. Bol added two more medals to the Dutch tally at the World Championships, claimed two relay golds at the European Indoor Championships, and earned her fifth consecutive Diamond League title.
With accomplishments like these, it’s no surprise she’s considered a strong contender for the honor.
However, the 2025 season may also be the final chapter of Bol’s dominance in the 400m hurdles. Earlier this year, she revealed her decision to transition to the 800m, a move that surprised many, given her remarkable resume in the hurdles.
Bol Clarifies Her Decision to Move to 800m After 400m Hurdles Exploits
Bol recently opened up about the real reason behind her headline-making switch. When asked by a journalist if the move was prompted by a desire to protect her body, she clarified that wasn’t quite the case.
In her view, both the 400m hurdles and the 800m are demanding in their own ways, so this wasn’t about choosing the easier path. Instead, Bol pointed to her growing interest in starting a new chapter in her track and field career.
MORE: Femke Bol Signals Skepticism Over World Athletics’ New Indoor 400m Final Format
During her November interview with European Athletics, she shared more insight into what motivated the change: “I do think I achieved pretty much everything I could dream of in the 400 hurdles, except for Olympic gold. I won this in the mixed relay but not in the 400 hurdles.”
“Along with that, I also think I achieved amazing times, running sub-51, and then 51.5 again at Worlds, which is something I’m really proud of. I just felt ready for a new chapter and to try something different,” Bol added.
Bol also reflected on how taking on an entirely new event feels a bit intimidating, but mostly exciting, especially since it still connects with many of the strengths she built in the 400m hurdles.
