Femke Bol has prematurely ended her indoor season due to a tendon issue in her foot, she announced to her followers on Instagram on Tuesday (17).
The Dutch superstar, who made a highly encouraging first international appearance over 800m in Metz on 8 February — setting a Dutch indoor record of 1:59.07 — had been scheduled to race over 600m in Liévin on Thursday (19).
However, she has decided not to risk further complications and will instead focus on the outdoor season as she continues her bold transition from the 400m hurdles to the 800m.
"Pushing my body in new ways"
“After the last tough session at camp, I’ve been dealing with a tendon issue in my foot,” she wrote.
“With my team, we decided it was stable enough to still race the two planned indoor competitions. However, after my first race, there was a stronger reaction, and we don’t want to risk it.
“I’m using and pushing my body in new ways this year. It’s a fine line, and right now my body is telling me it’s a bit too much.
“Thank you all for the amazing support during this transition. I’m sorry it was only one race this winter. Time for rehab and building towards the outdoor season.”
Birmingham 2026 thrills ahead
Despite her brief appearance during the indoor season, Bol’s arrival in the event has already raised excitement levels in an already vibrant women’s 800m.
Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, her British teammate Isabelle Boffey, and Swiss European U23 champion Audrey Werro have already been trading the world lead with times that have placed them high on the European all-time top 10 list.
With less than six months to go until the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships from 10–16 August, the women’s 800m final promises to be one of the must-see events of the championships.