Femke Bol set a Dutch indoor record of 1:59.07 as she made a sensational start to her new 800m career, winning her first-ever international race in the discipline in Metz on Sunday (8).
The performance places her fifth on this year’s world list and third in Europe, making a highly successful much-anticipated debut at the distance at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting.
There were no visible signs of nerves from Bol, who announced her shock decision to step up in distance in October, just 21 days after winning her second consecutive world title in the 400m hurdles in Tokyo.
"I really had a lot of fun," she said afterwards. "It was really…a jump into the deep. I had good training, but I don’t know what to expect in a real race. But it was a good experience and I enjoyed it a lot."
As the world indoor 400m record-holder, Bol held a clear speed advantage over her rivals and tucked in behind the pacemaker, who led the field through halfway in 56.66.
The great unknown, however, was her endurance over the second half of the race, but she passed that test in impressive style. Running in her customary relaxed manner, she navigated the closing laps comfortably enough.
Try as they might, Swiss duo Valentina Rosamilia and Lore Hoffman were unable to get into contention and instead settled for a domestic battle for second place, won by Rosamilia by just 0.01 seconds in 1:59.90. Both athletes set personal bests.
I really had a lot of fun. It was really…a jump into the deep. I had good training, but I don’t know what to expect in a real race. But it was a good experience and I enjoyed it a lot.
Photos courtesy of James Rhodes
