Femke Bol Anchors Dutch to Mixed 4x400m Relay Gold in Paris
Femke Bol’s astonishing anchor leg propelled the Dutch quartet to a historic mixed 4x400m relay gold at the Paris Olympics, etching their names in the annals of track and field. The Dutch team, comprising Eugene Omalla, Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink, and the indomitable Bol, shattered the European record with a blistering time of 3min 07.43sec.
Bol’s final lap was a masterclass in speed and determination. Clocking a stunning 47.93sec, she erased the bitter memory of her fall at last year’s world championships in Budapest, where she handed the gold to the United States.
“I hoped to run that fast some time, but in the relay, you never look too much at split times,” said Bol. “It’s more about putting it together as a team and technically racing it well. I just went for it. We just wanted a medal this time, we didn’t think it would be gold, just a medal. Well, we got gold and are the Olympic champions. It is absolutely crazy for a small country like ours.”
The US quartet, led by Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Deadmon, and Kaylyn Brown, had dominated the race until Bol’s electrifying surge. The near-capacity Stade de France erupted in a frenzy as Bol overtook Brown just 10 meters from the finish line, securing a famous victory for the Netherlands.
Bol’s triumph is a testament to her resilience and unwavering determination. Having suffered a dramatic fall in Budapest, she channeled her anger and frustration into an unforgettable performance in Paris. “Just keep going, keep going,” she said of her thoughts in the final 100 meters. “And my general anger from Budapest! That and my teammates cheering me. And the atmosphere in this stadium is absolutely incredible. It’s crazy. So everything together.”
Bol’s victory keeps her bid for three Olympic golds on track. She will compete in the 400m hurdles on Sunday and the women’s 4x400m relay later in the week. Her exceptional talent and unwavering spirit make her a formidable force in the world of athletics.