Dutchwoman Femke Bol achieved an unprecedented double at the European Athletics Championships by winning the 400m hurdles two days following her victory in the 400m flat.
Bol (22), Olympic bronze medalist in the 400m hurdles last summer and recent vice-world champion in the specialty, won in 52”67 in her favorite race, well ahead of the two Ukrainians Viktoriya Tkachuk (54”30) and Anna Ryzhykova (54”86). She had taken up the first part of her challenge by winning the 400m (49”44) on Wednesday evening.
Never before had any athlete, women and men alike, scored such a double at the European Championships. Bol can even dream of a hat-trick in Bavaria, since the Dutch will be among the favorites in the women’s 4x400m relay final.
A growing track record
In the meantime, the young Dutchwoman is expanding with a second European gold medal an already well-stocked list, with, in addition to the 2021 Olympic bronze in the 400m hurdles, her two silver medals gleaned last month at the Eugene World Championships. over 400m hurdles and with the mixed 4x400m relay.
afp/tzing