by Alfonz Juck
Femke announced transition to 800m
ARNHEM (NED): After achieving historic success in the 400m hurdles — including World and European titles — Femke Bol has decided to take on a new challenge and explore her potential over two laps of the track. Team Femke Bol announced her decision to transition from the 400m hurdles to the 800m as her main event. “Running the 400m hurdles has brought me dreams I didn’t even dare to dream about. It’s shaped me into the person and the athlete I am today. But I still have big dreams. This next one won’t be easy — it’s uncertain, it will bring new obstacles, and even though they won’t be hurdles, I’m ready to give it my all,” she said. “Can’t wait to share the start line,” replied Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson to Bol’s announcement.
RunBlogRun comments: While not as unusual as one might think. In the 1970s-1990s, 400m hurdlers like Edwin Moses and Harald Schmidt could run 47 point 400m hurdle races, 44 second 400 meters and 1:44 times at 800 meters! And why not? 400 meter hurdlers are some of the fittest athletes in the world. They can most definitely handle the 800 meters. In fact, I seem to recall Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone being asked about the 800 meters. She did not completely laugh it off!
Femke Bol is a tremendously talented athletes, and the 800 meters could be a great move for her! I just, for selfish reasons, have enjoyed Femke racing over the 400 meter hurdles, as well as her forays into the 4×4, and Mixed 4×4!
