In a stunning upset, Femke Bol of the Netherlands won her team gold in the 4×400-meter mixed relay after a solo triumph. Entering the final turn in fourth place amidst heavy rain, a victory for the Netherlands seemed highly unlikely.
However, out of seemingly nowhere, Bol came around with an exceptional burst of speed and overtook the three competitors ahead of her, ultimately leading her team to gold. “I keep telling people it’s just two words: It’s ‘Femke Bol,‘” said Dutch leadoff man Eugene Omalla. She’s just special. She’s a once-in-a-lifetime talent.”
@nbcolympics Femke Bol is UNREAL. She takes GOLD for the Netherlands in the mixed 4x400m relay with a STELLAR 47.93s anchor leg. #ParisOlympics #FemkeBol #trackandfield ♬ original sound – NBC Olympics & Paralympics
Bol, renowned for her dominance in the 400 hurdles, ran a stunning anchor leg in 47.93 seconds. The Dutch team, consisting of Omalla, Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink, and Bol, clinched the gold at the Paris Olympics with a time of 3 minutes, 7.43 seconds, edging out the United States by 0.31 seconds.
Bol’s comeback was reminiscent of her performance at the previous year’s world championships, where she similarly secured gold in the women’s 4×400 relay after a remarkable recovery.
“Just keep going — keep going,” Bol said of her mindset and motivation during the race. “I channeled my angerness from Budapest back, and I saw my teammates already cheering on me coming back.”
The U.S. team, featuring the same lineup that set a world record of 3:07.41 the day before, led the race with Belgium when Bryce Deadmon handed off to anchor runner Kaylyn Brown. However, Brown couldn’t match Bol’s charge, who ran one of the year’s fastest 400-meter times.
Bol overtook the Belgian, British, and American runners in quick succession, passing Brown with about 10 meters to go.
“We aimed for a medal,” Bol said. “Getting gold and becoming Olympic champions is unbelievable for a small country like ours.”
Bol will compete again in the women’s 400 hurdles, where she is certainly a favorite. However, she will have to take on world-record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. This victory marks Bol’s first Olympic gold, following her bronze in the 400 hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics.
