Femke Bol has impressed on the 400 meters at the European Athletics Championships for national teams on Friday. The Dutchwoman sped to victory and a new track record in the scorching Madrid heat.
The 25-year-old Bol, who usually only runs the 400-meter hurdles, sped to a time of 49.48 seconds at Estadio de Vallehermoso. This was more than three-tenths of a second faster than the old track record. However, it remained well above her personal record (49.17).
Bol was nevertheless positively surprised by the time and covered her mouth with her hands in amazement. Afterwards, she quickly sought cooling. It was no less than 36 degrees in Madrid during her competition. Polish Natalia Bukowiecka finished second in 50.14, and Spanish Paula Sevilla was third in 50.70.
Especially for this European Championship, Bol has made a detour to the 400 meters this week. On Tuesday, she ran a bit slower at a competition in Ostrava, Czech Republic: 49.98. With that time, she finished third, behind Salwa Eid Naser from Bahrain and American Lynna Irby-Jackson.
With the victory, Bol scored the maximum sixteen points for the Dutch team. Points are awarded in each discipline at the tournament, after which a ranking is drawn up. The country with the most points is the European champion.
The Netherlands is currently in the lead with 63.5 points. Menno Vloon also scored the maximum sixteen points on the opening day of the European Championship by winning the pole vault. Shot putter Jessica Schilder may also join them on Friday. The tournament lasts until Sunday. The Netherlands has never won this European Championship before.