Femke Bol has certainly found her groove. On Sunday, Bol cruised to victory in the 400-meter hurdles at the Diamond League in Silesia, Poland, with a dazzling time of 52.13 seconds. With Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone out of the running, the Dutch athlete took full advantage, leaving American runner-up Anna Cockrell in her dust with a time of 52.88 seconds. Jamaican Rushell Clayton settled for third with a time of 53.11 seconds. But it was Bol’s post-race interview that really stole the limelight, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats.

Well, we all know that in the Olympic final earlier this month in Paris, Femke Bol fell short, finishing with a bronze medal while Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone clinched gold with a world-record time of 50.37 seconds. Bol’s third-place finish left her disappointed in the French capital, with Anna Cockrell taking the silver.

Meanwhile, McLaughlin-Levrone, who had not raced since the Olympics, did not compete in Silesia or any events leading up to it. Despite Bol’s victory in recent events, she still seems to be haunted by the events of Paris, struggling to move past the experience.

As he puts it, “The meeting is amazing; the crowd is so loud. I love coming here. The Olympics were tough, of course, but I was happy to get back to training afterward and I still feel pretty good. I would have liked to run a 51 today, but it’s a win and a meeting record, so I have to be happy with the race. The hot weather didn’t bother me too much—it was actually not as bad on the track as it is in the stands.”

She further added, “It also meant I needed less warm-up than usual. I have two more races before the end of the season, then it’s time for a vacation. We’ll also reflect on the season with my coach and decide how to improve for next year.” Femke Bol’s triumph in Silesia marked her second victory in just four days. With this win under her belt, Bol seems ready to branch out and test the waters in other track distances too.

Femke Bol’s quest to shatter records in the future!

As of 22nd August,  in Lausanne, the reigning world and European champion from the Netherlands shattered her previous meeting record in the 400m hurdles, clocking in at an impressive 52.25 seconds, down from her former best of 52.76.  That was her first individual race since winning Olympic bronze in Paris, Bol powered past Jamaica’s fast-starting Rushell Clayton on the home straight, smoothly clearing the final hurdles to secure victory.

Today’s race also marked Bol’s 23rd consecutive Diamond League win, but despite setting a meet record, she appeared unsatisfied, even after avenging her earlier defeat to Anna Cockrell. Bol remains determined to refine her performance, hinting at the possibility of exploring new events in her quest for continued improvement. This is something that her coach revealed!

After clinching gold in the Dutch 4×400 meter mixed relay in Paris, Femke Bol’s coach, Laurent Meuwly, believes Bol might have what it takes to tackle the 800m. Speaking on the World Athletics Official Podcast on August 7, Meuwly noted Bol’s current best time of 2:19.51 in the event. At the same time, Jarmila Kratochvílová had set a world record in 1951 with a time of 1;53.28 while, Bol, might rise if she decides to take on this new endeavor.

Even in the 400m hurdles, Bol is equally creating a buzz. Despite Sydney McLaughlin dominating three times, including the world record of 50.37 sets, in 2024 Bol’s impressive 50.95 time this year shows she’s close behind McLaughlin. Bol’s determination to excel shows that she doesn’t settle for achievements; she’s determined to make an impact, on the track.