Dutch athlete Femke Bol will be defending her European 400m hurdles title at the Rome European Athletics Championships on June 7-12. At the previous forum in Munich in 2022, she won gold in the 400m, 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay.
Last year, Femke Bol also won the world gold in the 400m hurdles in Budapest, as well as the title in the 4x400m relay.
This winter she continued her excellent performances and earned the the World Indoor Athletics Championships 400m title in a world record time of 49.17 sec. At the Glasgow Forum, she also took gold in the 4x400m relay.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I have always loved Rome. I had one of my first Diamond Leagues there during COVID. There was a huge stadium and only two people in the stands because it was not allowed. Another year I was there and Tamberi (Olympic high jump champion Gianmarco Tamberi) was jumping and the crowd went crazy. Italians are going crazy. There is so much noise, which is so nice. So I’m really looking forward to being able to race there. I think it’s a great stadium and track. It will be nice to be able to test her in the 400m hurdles as well”, said Femke Bol. “I love the warm up track with the big statues around it. There is such a good mood and the weather is nice. I must say that Italians are also very nice. I’ve run there a few times and they cheer for everyone and want everyone to do their best”, added she.
She also admitted that she won’t be chasing double at the 400m and 400m hurdles, as the Paris 2024 Olympics coming up later in the summer.
“I don’t want to do a double in the 400m and 400m hurdles because it’s too much right now. But I also think that’s nice. It gives me a nice tension. And it also shows you” ‘Ok, I have the medal because I’ve already done it once. I know how it should be done. I learned a lot’. I think that helps her too. A little tension is not always a bad thing”, added Femke Bol.
The women’s 400m final at the Rome European Athletics Championships is scheduled for June 11 at the Olimpico Stadium.
