After years of battling Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in the 400m hurdles, Femke Bol is trading the barriers for the open track. The Dutch world champion is stepping up to the 800m, a move that pits her against a new set of rivals and forces her to confront a challenge she hasn’t faced in years: being a total beginner.
What did Femke Bol Say Regarding Her Challenge in the 800m?
Bol’s rival, McLaughlin-Levrone, will face a different set of challenges in the 2025-26 season as the Dutch athlete transitions to the 800m. Bol will also compete against new opponents, such as Lilian Odira and Keely Hodgkinson, after sharing an exemplary competition with McLaughlin-Levrone and Dalilah Muhammad in the 400m hurdles for many years.
Bol recently spoke about her inexperience competing in middle-distance events, such as the 800m, a stark contrast to her long-time dominance in the hurdles. Her last 800m finish was at a short track event in 2017, before she turned pro in 2019. This means the 400m hurdles world champion has no experience running a senior 800m race, a challenge she highlighted.
She said, “I think into the event, I’m going really as a beginner because I have no clue. Of course, I have a clue about 800m, watching it, but I don’t have a clue running it. So, in that part, I am a beginner, but I am not a beginning athlete anymore.”
However, the Dutch athlete also noted that her time on the professional circuit will ultimately help her in the longer sprints. “With the 400m hurdles, I learned a lot, how to be a professional athlete on the highest level. I think all of these experiences, I will bring with me towards the 800m,” Bol said.
Although Bol has not competed in a professional 800m race, she has regularly competed in the 400m flat throughout her career. The 25-year-old was also the 400m world indoor title winner in 2024 in Glasgow.
How Does Bol View the Rise of Female Athletes?
In modern track and field, female athletes have become an integral part of the sport. Icons like Allyson Felix and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, along with younger stars like McLaughlin-Levrone and Bol, have consistently made headlines with their performances.
Bol addressed this inspiring situation for female athletes, stating, “What I love about track and field is that women are already highlighted and also how it’s now possible that a lot of mothers are coming back and showing how strong we are as women. I think this is something great and inspiring for everyone.”
In her conversation, Bol also gave a special mention to Felix, the former 200m Olympic and World champion, stating that the American is like an idol to her on the track.