Femke Bol has paid generous tribute to athletics fans and her support team after being named European Women’s Athlete of the Year for a historic third time at the Golden Tracks awards night in Batumi, Georgia, on Saturday (25).
Unable to attend the glittering ceremony as she begins her transition from the 400m hurdles to the 800m ahead of 2026, the Dutch runner said in her video acceptance speech: "Thank you for voting for me to become European Athlete of the Year.
"Unfortunately, I cannot be there this year, but I really want to thank every one of you and all the fans who always support me, and, of course, the amazing team I have around me for everything we’ve accomplished — and for coming home with another European Athlete of the Year award. Thank you, and have a nice evening."
Bol becomes the first woman in award history to win the European Athlete of the Year accolade on three occasions having previously won the award in 2022 and 2023. Bol was also crowned women's Rising Star in 2021.
Unbeaten season as she signs off from hurdles
In what may turn out to be her final year as a 400m hurdler, Bol was unbeaten in the discipline throughout the season, culminating in the successful defence of her title at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
She also claimed two gold medals on home soil in the mixed 4x400m and women’s 4x400m at the Apeldoorn 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships, along with mixed 4x400m silver and women’s 4x400m bronze in Tokyo 2025 — bringing her career tally to 15 global medals.
In October, she announced a surprise switch to the 800m for next year, with the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships likely to be her first major event in the new discipline.