At the Diamond League in London on Saturday, world champion Femke Bol easily won the women’s 400m hurdles, setting a new meet record in the process.
Bol broke her previous best time, which she had recorded in the London Stadium last year, by 0.15 seconds with a time of 51.30 seconds during the final warm-up for the Paris Olympics.
Bol placed third in the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics, when world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won gold. “I truly love to run here in this stadium, it is so special, and to put on this great field it is fantastic,” Bol remarked.
“I’m really pleased with how I performed today. I’m honing my opening and overcoming the initial obstacle.”
Bol broke the 51-second mark last weekend, becoming just the second woman to do so in the demanding competition.
The Dutch athlete broke her own European mark of 51.45 seconds on Sunday by running 50.95 seconds in Switzerland.
Regarding Paris, Bol expressed how exciting it was to consider going up against McLaughlin-Levrone.
“I am excited for Paris and of course to put on my best race there,” she stated.
“I am excited to race in Sydney; it will challenge us both. Naturally, I’ll be prepared for both the relay and it.”
Bol claimed that competing against McLaughlin-Levrone served as motivation and inspiration.
It’s rare to watch McLaughlin-Levrone compete in person, but Bol is, as they say, everywhere.
She has already won the 400m flat at the global indoor championships in Glasgow in March of this year. She has also competed in several track meets and won two additional gold medals and a bronze at the European outdoor championships in Rome in June.
Regarding her and McLaughlin-Levrone’s different racial routines, she responded, “Everyone has their own way,”
“We don’t see each other a lot but we’ll see each other in Paris!”
American Shamier Little placed second in the event in London in a season-best time of 52.78 seconds, while Jamaican Rushell Clayton completed the podium in 53.24 seconds.
Nevertheless, Little lost out on the three hurdling slots for the United States team in the challenging trials that McLaughlin-Levrone won in a time that set a world record of 50.65 seconds.
However, she is going to Paris as a member of the women’s 4×400-meter relay team.
“I really wanted to stay upright today, stay focused and get a good time,” she stated.
“I am thrilled about the relay in Paris because I adore the Olympic team atmosphere and the relay itself.
“I’m thrilled because this is my first relay at this level. Naturally, I want to be a part of that since, as Team USA, we will hope to medal and have a fantastic time.”
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