For Femke Bol, a new era debuted in the form of a 1:59.07 Dutch national record in the women’s 800m on Sunday at the Meeting Metz Moselle Athlélor Crédit Mutuel in France.
Bol announced last year that she would move up from the 400m and 400m hurdles and on Sunday asked for the pace to be set at 57 seconds for the first 400m as she cruised to the win in her first competitive 800m race.
The pace proved to be crucial, as Bol powered through the the first 200m at 26.99 and found herself at the 400m mark at 56.66, which was in line with her request prior to the race. She showed signs of pulling away at 600m at 1:28.86 as Valentina Rosamilia and Lore Hoffman began closing in on her position. But Bol soared through the final lap and eased into the win.
Rosamilia took second in 1:59.90 and Hoffman finished third in 1:59.91.
Last October, Bol revealed on social media that she planned to take a detour from the events that she have dominated, the 400m and 400m hurdles, and find her way to the 800m.
“It’s a big change, it’s uncertain and challenging, but I’m ready to put in the work, surrounded by an amazing team and enjoy this new journey,” she said in her post.
In a year of no world championships or Olympics, Bol is one of several notable athletes who have announced pivots from the races the sport has grown accustomed to seeing them compete in.
After shattering numerous world records in the 400m hurdles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was flawless in the 400m last year to world championship success. But in January announced she was expecting her first child, likely pulling her from the track in 2026.
Meanwhile, Grant Fisher revealed late last month he would step up to the half marathon distance and take on the NYC Half in March in New York City
Bol will test her 800m speed again later this month as she is confirmed for the start list of the gold World Indoor Tour meeting in Lievin on February 19.
