LONDON, ENGLAND, July 23 — Femke Bol showed that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone wouldn’t have had things entirely her own way at next month’s World Champs, if the latter hadn’t taken a sabbatical from the 400H. The Dutchwoman flew around the Olympic Stadium oval in 51.45.
Bol’s European Record has only ever been eclipsed on two occasions, by McLaughlin-Levrone, her two World Records from ’22: 51.41 and 50.68 at the USATF Champs and Worlds.
After a slightly sluggish start by her own standards — U.S. champion Shamier Little was the first to rise at the opening barrier — Bol soon had her motor purring to perfection and by the fifth hurdle had almost a half-second advantage over the rest of the field.
From that point, the only question was how quick would she run? The answer was very quick indeed, her strength coming to the fore over the final three hurdles as she finished 20m clear of the field.
“Amazing, I cannot believe it yet,” said the ever-smiling Bol. “To be honest, I felt really good at some points in the race, but I tried not to think about the goal. I felt so strong coming over the last hurdle so I’m really happy. I’ve been wanting to run a 51 ever since *Tokyo [the ’21 OG where she got bronze]. I had a feeling I could do it but I still can’t believe I’ve done it. I hope I can put up a great race at the World Championships and put on a great show, I hope I’m in even better shape than I am now.”
Behind Bol, Jamaica’s Janieve Russell came home 2nd in 53.75 to just hold off a fast-finishing Little, who finished 3rd in 53.76.
In a thrilling 5000 which saw the first 3 home in under 14:14, Alicia Monson’s American Record of 14:19.45 in 5th place went slightly under the radar.
Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay won in a 14:12.29 PR, the No. 5 performance ever, with Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet 2nd in 14:12.92.
The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan bagged a European Record of 14:13.42 after making much of the pace from 3K out after the pacemakers departed — which saw the leaders go through in 8:35.18 — but was being beaten for speed down the homestraight.
In 4th, Ethiopia’s 18-year-old Medina Elsa hung on for a World Junior (U20) Record of 14:16.54 after being with the leading trio until the bell.
Monson bravely decided to go with the leading quartet from 3K and latched herself onto…
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