With the eyes of the athletics world upon her, Femke Bol delivered a brilliant Dutch indoor 800m record in her first international appearance at the distance.
The Dutch star clocked 1:59:07 in Metz on Sunday (8) in her first outing since the reigning world 400m hurdles champion and 400m indoor world record holder announced she would be stepping up in distance.
It was a performance that thrilled former and current athletes, with a positive reaction across social media. Here’s what some of them said:
“I can’t not wait to watch this season. Going to be epic!”
Athens 2004 Olympic 1500m and 800m champion Kelly Holmes of Great Britain commenting on Instagram on a video of the race from Metz.
“omgggg girl!!! It’s getting interesting again”
Anna Kiełbasińska said on Instagram. The retired sprinter won 400m bronze behind Bol at the Istanbul 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships and represented Poland at three Olympic Games.
“Yes Femke!! 1m 59.07. A Dutch NR in her first ever 800m. Nicely done Femke and @LaurentMeuwly
.. sub 2 mins.”
Sydney Olympic 400m bronze medallist and BBC commentator Katherine Merry posted on X, congratulating both Bol and her Swiss coach Laurent Meuwly.
“Amazing!!!!!!”
Olympic 100m hurdles sprinter Lotta Harala of Finland commented on Instagram.
"She still has to get used to the distance, but you can immediately see that much more is possible.
"The ease with which she ran... She slowed down a bit in the third lap, but maintained her suppleness. She can really do more. In fact, this is just the beginning.
"She still has to explore the full 800 meters. She was fast in the first 400 meters, and that shows that there's still much more potential."
The Netherlands 1992 Olympics women's 800m gold medallist Ellen van Langen and still Dutch outdoor record holder (1:55.54), now Director of the FBK Games talking to Dutch national broadcaster NOS.
“Ok I think I’m pretty good at this 800m jogging thing”
2017 World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships gold medallist Francesco Puppi joked as he reflected on Bol’s relaxed style which still carried her to a national record. The Italian was commenting on Instagram.
“Such a beautiful runner”
Great Britain’s Marilyn Okoro, 2008 Olympic 800m runner and Olympic, world and European 4x400m medallist commenting on Instagram.
"She is InsanEEEEEE!"
Former Dutch 4x400m team mate Laura de Witte posted on Instagram stories
“Yeah, this special”
So said Ashleigh Nelson, 2014 European 100m bronze medallist, taking time out from the Winter Olympics, where she is representing Team GB in the bobsleigh.
