From face first to first place: Bol secures Gold for Netherlands in women’s 400M Relay
Exploring the The 23-year-olds triumphant return to the women’s 400 Metre relay back in 2023.
The 23-year-old made her triumphant return to the women’s 400 Metre relay in 2023, following the previous relays mixed finals bitter defeat. Femke Bol, who was unable to grasp gold in the previous mixed race, having taken a fall less than 10 meters from the finish line victoriously strode her way to gold in a redemption driven win for the Netherlands.
Despite her “feeling great” in the previous race, Bol reflects on her disorientated struggle in the final strides to which she claims, “I cramped up when I felt someone next to me, and then I was on the ground”. But expressed her gratitude that she may prove herself in the Women’s 400M relay.
And prove herself, she did.
Having already won a gold medal that Thursday in the Hurdles, Bol completed the final leg of the race alongside the British and Jamaican last leg runners Stacey Ann Williams and Nicole Yeargin.
Despite Jamaica being favoured to win gold with a qualifying time of 3:22.24, the fastest recorded that season, Bols’s hunger for victory carried her forward over the line first.
Jamaica who maintained what was seemingly looking like a victorious pace throughout the race, appeared to waver within the last few meters.
The team consisting of Candice McLeod, Janieve Russell, Nickisha Pryce and Stacey Ann Williams, finished in 3:20.88 minutes in second place.
Whilst Great Britain Laviai Nielsen, Amber Anning, Ama Pipi, Nicole Yeargain and Yemi Mary John finished in third place at 3:21.04 minutes.
Whilst much of the first lap of the race remained similar to the heat, with Jamica, Great Britain and Canada leading during the first lap, the Netherlands made advantages in the second with Klaver emerging as one of the big three.
Following on into the third lap Peeters ensured she remained in Bronze alongside Great Britain’s Pipi and Jamaica’s Pryce.
As the third lap closed, it appeared the fate of the race was held in the final lap’s runners.
As Bol surpassed Yeargain in the last 30 meters with her hopes set for silver, she seemingly shifted gear setting her sights on Gold.
The strides she’s notoriously known for in her Hurdles seemingly ate up the track allowing her to gain speed and surpass Williams in the last two meters.
Bol had regained her confidence and managed to chip away at her grief-stricken previous result and had incredibly channelled a Gold.
The crowd erupted into ecstasy as Bol rejoined her teammates to begin to celebrate their win.
Camaraderie seemed a prominent theme in the press report with Saalberg claiming “We did this as a team” in answering what it took for them to win this gold.
Continuing on with this, Bol credited her desire to continue running to the power of being part of a team, “It brings a sense of power when you run for a team, you’re in it together you all know how hard you worked for it, and you all want to make your country proud- its an amazing feeling.”
when referring to trying to regain confidence since her fall in the previous mixed relay Bol admitted “It was tough”. However, when asked what kept her going in those last incredible 100 meters, “Well first my team.”
Interestingly, Bol shares that there wasn’t really a defining moment she knew she was going to win, “I thought we were running for silver, but its relay, you always have to keep running and anything can happen.”
The Dutch’s sense of teamwork should be duly credited in this race, with Sallberg joking that as your running you have “your whole country actually” in your head. In response to asking if it was guilt that
fuelled these women, they in unison shook their heads whilst Sallberg adamantly responded “Not guilt, pride for your country.”
USA’s absence in the race must be noted. Due to a faulty baton exchange in the preliminary sets the USA were disqualified, leaving a significant absence in the race. However, having led the way in recent years, the USA’s absence allowed for a new country to emerge fuelling a much pre anticipated race.
Despite USA’s absence, the Netherlands victory is credited purely to their overwhelming sense of confidence in the team, and their faith in one and other.
Finishing the report in good spirit, when asked how they were going to celebrate this tremendous victory, the team erupted in laughter with Klaver teasing “do you want the honest answer or?”
To conclude after the race, it appears celebratory drinks are in order according to Klaver who humorously suggested drinking “Both” tonight and upon their return home.