Femke Bol and Jessica Schilder eagerly anticipating Hengelo: Both in top form for the 44th edition of the FBK Games

Femke Bol and Jessica Schilder eagerly anticipating Hengelo

Both in top form for the 44th edition of the FBK Games

The line-up for the 44th edition of the FBK Games in Hengelo on Whit Monday, June 9, was announced Monday morning by the organizing body, Global Sports Communication. Numerous Dutch athletes will be present to compete for victory in what is expected to be a sold-out Fanny Blankers-Koen Stadium. Femke Bol and Jessica Schilder both expressed great excitement about the only international top-level athletics meet held in the Netherlands.

Femke Bol heads to a “very special” FBK Games after strong season start

Femke Bol kicked off her season on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco, with a commanding win in the 400-meter hurdles at the Diamond League meet, clocking 52.46 seconds—the fastest season opener of her career. This season, the 25-year-old has changed her approach by starting with her left leg in the blocks instead of her right. The goal: to be able to clear the final hurdles with her preferred leg. Her next race will be in Hengelo on Whit Monday. Prior to that, she will be in training camp in Morocco with her coach Laurent Meuwly, Nadine Visser, and Lieke Klaver, who will also compete in Hengelo, until June 6.

“Hengelo is one of the most special competitions out there, and on top of that, I’ll be running my specialty, the 400-meter hurdles,” said Bol. “The FBK Games are really special.” She skipped almost the entire indoor season this winter—aside from two 4×400 meter relays, where she anchored the Dutch team to gold twice. “That was a good decision. I’ve built a strong foundation, I’m mentally refreshed, and I’m hungrier than ever.”

Jessica Schilder praises Dutch fans in Hengelo

Jessica Schilder has already competed more this early summer season than Bol. She performed strongly at two Diamond League meets in China in April, improving her outdoor shot put record from 20.33 meters (set at the 2024 FBK Games) to 20.47 meters. Indoors this year, she even threw 20.69 meters—the best mark in the world so far in 2024. Schilder also looked ahead to Hengelo:

“It’s hard to describe how incredible it is to compete in the shot put at the FBK Games,” she said. “The fans are so close—it makes the experience truly special.” When asked about her goals, she said she hopes to someday reach 21 meters. “That dream is…