The long-awaited 400m hurdles showdown between Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol at the Paris Olympics was everything fans had hoped for and more. This rivalry, which has been simmering since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when Sydney shattered the world record to claim gold while Bol took third, reached its boiling point in Paris. Bol, determined to rewrite the narrative, was in prime position this time. Her coach, Laurent Meuwly, had set a clear strategy: “The goal for Femke will be to stay as close as possible into the straight.” Bol executed that plan flawlessly, trailing McLaughlin-Levrone by just two-tenths of a second as they entered the final stretch. The taste of redemption was sweet, especially when facing such a formidable rival.

Bol’s journey to this moment has been one of resilience. After a season marked by both triumphs and setbacks, she finally turned the tide in Paris, reclaiming what she had narrowly missed in Tokyo. Despite her impressive performance, Bol wasn’t satisfied. In a display of true competitive spirit, she quickly announced her intention to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League, just a week after the Olympics. Her determination to avenge her Olympic loss paid off when she secured a stunning victory, sending shockwaves through the track and field world. Bol’s unexpected triumph has sparked a flurry of excitement online, as fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in this thrilling rivalry.

Femke Bol’s triumph at Lausanne sparks excitement for upcoming rivalry

In a recent interview with De Telegraaf, coach Laurent Meuwly expressed a strong desire to continue with the Netherlands team. Reflecting on Thursday evening’s Lausanne match, he cautiously remarked, “I think it will be fine.” However, with a hint of uncertainty, he added, “Unless the association suddenly does a 180-degree turn on the plans we’re discussing now.” If all goes as planned, Meuwly could remain with the Dutch Athletics Union for the next four years, a prospect that fills him with hope and anticipation.

The contract of coach Meuwly with the Netherlands ended this year. Being there with the Netherlands and coaching athletes like Femke Bol since 2019, he became one of the most successful coaches. So, extension of the contract has been a recurring topic of conversation between success coach Meuwly and strategy and technical director Kortbeek for months. Both parties want to continue on friendly terms. Meuwly says that he still has some wishes to ‘optimize’ the programs of his athletes (long and short sprints). “It is not so much about my contract, but about improving the approach, the circumstances and the staff,” he remarked.

Meuwly continued to stress that it is not only about money for which he took the decision. These are also essential competitions on the road to gaining experience and obtaining simply stunning performances. Femke Bol did this Thursday evening in Lausanne with her 22nd win in a row at any old Diamond League meeting in 400m hurdles. She did this in an impressive time of 52.25, but not close to her personal best of 50.95. “It was a real roller coaster,” Femke Bol said of her Lausanne victory. That was to be expected with all the physical and mental stress during the Olympic Games.

The Netherlands’ coach revealed Bol was exhausted and had difficulty concentrating on her games. Reflecting on her resilience, Meuwly said she wanted to come in good shape and remain undefeated in the Diamond League. But, this time, her all-time rival, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, did not participate. Instead, her main target was 400m hurdles Olympic silver medalist, American Anna Cockrell. For this reason, Meuwly wanted to be here for all the training, which eventually paid off at the 2024 Diamond League.

Bol’s victory sets the stage for a thrilling rematch with McLaughlin-Levrone

Their rivalry is among the most talked about in track and field, but Femke Bol’s recent win has shifted the dynamic. Historically, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has dominated most of their races. At the Tokyo Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone entered as the reigning world silver medalist and newly crowned world record holder. At the June U.S. Trials, she clocked 51.90, beating teammate Dalilah Muhammad’s 52.16 from the 2019 Worlds. Bol, meanwhile, was ranked world No. 2 with a 52.37, recorded just weeks earlier at the Stockholm Diamond League. At 21, she was competing in her second senior global championship. She missed the final in her first, the 2019 Worlds, finishing 22nd overall with 56.37.

In the Tokyo final, McLaughlin-Levrone broke her world record again, lowering it by nearly a half-second to 51.46. Muhammad finished second with 51.58 for silver, and Bol came in third with 52.03 for bronze—personal bests for all three. McLaughlin-Levrone became a two-time Olympic champion, three-time world champion, and three-time Diamond League winner. However, despite their intense competition, mutual respect between them is clear. Bol noted, “We’re friendly, and we’re with the same sponsor. We both realize that the 400m hurdles is not an easy event, and I have a lot of respect for her. I know how committed and hard-working she is. We don’t see each other a lot, but we’ll see each other in Paris.”

The 2022 World Championship saw McLaughlin-Levrone edge past Bol again. However, last season marked a shift in fortunes. With McLaughlin-Levrone briefly focusing on the 400m flat and sidelined by a knee injury, Bol seized the moment, clinching the title at the 2023 World Championships in McLaughlin-Levrone’s absence. Bol views Sydney as an inspiration, stating, “It’s really inspirational and motivational how she is racing, and seeing how much she is raising the bar… Because the moment you see someone do it, even though she is a really exceptional athlete, there is something you’re headed to think, ‘Maybe, I can also do it!’” Now, the question on everyone’s mind is simple: Will Bol’s Diamond League triumph become a turning point in her career? Will her coach’s expansion help her gain new techniques to excel on the track? If so, future races between Sydney and Femke will be must-see events.