The track and field world is abuzz with fresh matchups and new records now that the Paris Olympics are behind us. Femke Bol showcased her form at the Silesia Diamond League, winning the 400-meter hurdles in a remarkable 52.13 seconds. Bol took full advantage of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone‘s absence, leaving American Anna Cockrell and Jamaican Rushell Clayton behind. Despite Bol’s impressive victory and her bounce-back performance following a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone’s fans dismiss the win as irrelevant, focusing instead on the absence of the Olympic champion.

Recently, Travis Miller, NBC Sports Director of Social Media, shared the final results of the Silesia Diamond League on X. His post highlighted Femke Bol’s remarkable achievement: “Another Diamond League meet record for Femke Bol winning #SilesiaDL 400m hurdles ahead of Anna Cockrell.” 

Bol set a new meet record with 52.13 seconds, outpacing Cockrell, who clocked 52.88 seconds, and Jamaican Rushell Clayton, who finished third with 53.11 seconds. Even though Femke Bol’s massive win in the Silesia Diamond League marked her second victory in only four days, many fans did not take it as a race as they thought; without Sydney, they would never have considered her win a literal ‘win’. 

On August 22, the Netherlands’ reigning world and European champion set a new meeting record in the 400m hurdles of 52.25s, significantly improving her previous mark of 52.76s from Lausanne. That was Bol’s first individual race since she won Olympic bronze in Paris three weeks ago. On the home straight, as Jamaica’s fast-starting Rushell Clayton ceded ground before her unexpectedly and unaccountably, Bol glided past smoothly, completing the final hurdles to victory.

However, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone withdrew her name this year from all the Diamond League meets because her coach, Bobby Kersee, decided it. It is a strategic move from her coach’s end to help her concentrate on the selective races. In Paris, she defended her Olympic title and improved her past best by 0.28s, setting a new world record for the sixth time. Therefore, her absence from the Diamond League is a planned move. However, while Sydney made her record, Bol is creating a buzz. Though Sydney dominated three times, including the 50.37s world record set in this Olympic’s 400mH, Femke’s stunning 50.95 in 2024’s Résisprint International helped her stay close to McLaughlin-Levrone.

So, now the question is, if Femke keeps her form like this and Sydney remains on her break, will she be able to compete like before? Will the training techniques help Sydney show her prowess whenever she touches the track? Or will Bol’s back-to-back hits keep her status stronger? No one knows, but after Bol’s performance at the Diamond League, fans reacted differently, looking for performances where they would both compete.

Femke Bol’s Diamond League performance garners massive retorts from Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

The Silesia Diamond League just took place, and fans can’t stop talking about Bol’s latest performance without facing her top rival, McLaughlin-Levrone. In the track’s lights, her performance left minds reeling; raw emotion rushed up out of the senses of the fans. Denying Femke’s victory, a fan expressed her feelings about it, commenting, “Does any race that she wins sans Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone really matters? It’s almost like it never happened. It’s irrelevant. She shouldn’t enter any races unless Sydney is running as well😄. I am being silly.” As before, in most of their performances, Sydney always shines and clinches the victory; the fan is directly denied the opportunity to watch her race in McLaughlin-Levrone’s absence. However, we all have seen that Sydney always takes some rest after her significant events, keeping it a part of staying away from injuries.

Then, another admirer made an interesting comparison between Bol and McLaughlin-Levrone, writing, “Sydney McLaughlin just keeps letting her shine until she comes out and pulls a 49.07 and Bol turns to a cry baby again with her 51.22.” As Sydney keeps pushing her form and breaking her records, be it in the World Championships or Olympics, the fans are pretty sure of her ability to beat Bol at any time. However, it is unfortunate that Bol is not getting recognition or appreciation for her stunning performance. Still, it is very true that in terms of medals and track dominance, Sydney has had the crown till now. 

Another critique wants others to remember that, “To everybody talking about the American runner remember that no matter how great you are you’ll never win a race you don’t bother to show up to.” Through the statement, the fan highlights that when an athlete avoids running in a significant race, it never guarantees any success. No matter how skilled a sprinter is, you cannot expect her to win if the individual does not show up and put in effort.

Another one showed sympathy for Femke Bol by remarking, “Femke Bol is an amazing 400m hurdler, she makes it look so easy, it’s just unfortunate for her that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone exists in the same era as her.” The user is defending Femke Bol, pointing out that it is only Bol’s fault to compete with Sydney. Hence, even though she aced the race every time, instead of getting more praise, she usually gets unfair comments. It is so clear that McLaughlin-Levrone’s exceptional medal tally and past achievements always overshadow Bol’s significant wins at major events, like the Diamond Leagues of her career.

Some even now demand Sydney catch up in the races, saying, “We need Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in these races.” This fan wanted to see an exciting match between Sydney and Bol to make the race more competitive. According to them, Sydney’s participation will increase performance and interest in the sport. However, the constant comparison between Bol and Sydney will remain an ongoing matter online. But will it impact any of the athletes’ performances in the future? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!