Mar 02, 2024 at 6:30 AM Update: 10 minutes ago
She is better than last year. At least, that’s what her coach Laurent Meuwly says. And then there was no size for Femke Bol. The 24-year-old from Amersfoort is the sky-high favorite for the world indoor title in the 400 meters on Saturday evening in Glasgow, although she tempers expectations.
Bol actually preferred not to talk to the media on Friday evening after the semi-final in the Emirates Arena. Let alone that she thought out loud about a possible world title.
“I just want to put in a good race. And then I’ll see where that brings me,” was all she said about the final. Yet Bol will be satisfied with nothing less than gold on Saturday evening. Based on the times of this year and last year, she is at a lonely height.
Two weeks ago, Bol improved her own world record in the 400 meters indoors to 49.24. Her biggest competitor may be compatriot and good friend Lieke Klaver, who has a personal record of 50.10. Furthermore, of the six finalists, only the American Alexis Holmes (50.34) ran under 51 seconds this year.
Fastest times ever 400 meters indoor women
‘We tested everything this winter’
National coach Laurent Meuwly, who guides both Bol and Klaver, is more outspoken. “I hope we can go for gold and silver in Glasgow,” he said two weeks ago after the National Indoor Championships. It should then be silver for Klaver and gold for Bol, which according to the Swiss is better than ever.
Meuwly: “We tested everything this winter. Endurance, speed, strength… If we compare that with last year, Femke has become even better in every respect.”
A year ago, Bol became European indoor champion in the 400 meters for the second time in Istanbul. The world indoor title is – in addition to Olympic gold – the only major title that is still missing from her list of honors.
Femke Bol takes the lead during the semi-final on Friday evening in the Emirates Arena. Photo: Getty Images
‘World record race was not perfect’
When winning gold in Glasgow, Bol, as Dutch world indoor champion, follows in the footsteps of Nellie Cooman (in 1987 and 1989 on the 60 meters), Elly van Hulst (in 1985 on the 1,500 meters and in 1989 on the 3,000 meters), Nadine Broerssen (in 2014). in the pentathlon) and Sifan Hassan (in 2016 in the 1,500 meters).
There is a good chance that Bol will become the fifth Dutch world champion. Meuwly does not even rule out that his pupil will take gold in a new world record. “Femke’s last world record race was very good, but not perfect. I think she can go faster.”
The final battle of the 400 meters indoors is scheduled for Saturday at 10 p.m. in the Emirates Arena. Bol and Klaver will be in action on Sunday in the 4×400 meters. The Dutch women are the reigning European champions in this event.
The six finalists with their time in the semi-finals
- Femke Bol (Netherlands) – 50.66
- Alexis Holmes (VS) – 50,99
- Lieke Klaver (Netherlands) – 51.18
- Talitha Diggs (VS) – 51,28
- Laviai Nielsen (Great Britain) – 51.44
- Sharlene Mawdsley (Ireland) – 52.16
2024-03-02 05:30:34
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