BREAKING: Femke Bol Switches to 800m

Starting next season, Femke Bol has announced that she will no longer compete in the 400-meter hurdles. Instead, she will take on the 800 meters.

(Image credit to runningmagazine.ca)

Femke Bol, a 25 year old athlete who had won gold in the 400m hurdles becoming a double world champion and was a double Olympic bronze medalist, has chosen to compete in the 800m, a decision that was made together with her coach Laurent Meuwly.

Despite her personal best of 50.95 - which is only the second-fastest time in history behind American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s world record of 50.37 - chose to withdraw from the event that established her as an elite athlete.

“The 400m hurdles were my most unforgettable moments in my life and had shaped me as an athlete throughout my career. Yes, I decided to test my limits once again. What I am really excited about is that the 800m is something totally different”. In her statement, she mentioned that achieving the highest level requires different types of training, persistence, and endurance.

Meuwly noted that Bol is a skilled athlete who thrives in the face of challenges and believes that her exceptional technique, strength, and mindset will contribute to her success in this area. He had already stated back in 2023 that he had already expressed his 800m performance referring to Bol’s impressive time of 1:05.63 at 500m indoors at the Boston meet.

In 2017 Bol last competed officially in the 800m, recording her best time of 2:19.51. Ellen van Langen, who won the gold medal in the 1992 Olympics, set the Dutch record by clocking 1:55.54. 

The Dutch star has already established herself as an era of dominance, winning two world titles and twice European titles in the 400m hurdles, earning five consecutive Diamond League titles (2019–2024), and breaking numerous records. With 11 European titles in total (400m hurdles, 400m, women’s 4x400m relay, and mixed 4x400m relay) both indoors and outdoors, she now opens a new chapter in the 800 meters—aiming for new glories.

Article written by Ioanna Ntontsef