Femke Bol reveals what ignited her passion for running laps and love for sprinting

Dutch track athlete Femke Bol recently shared her inspiration coming into the realm of athletics. The 24-year-old is currently one of the most successful athletes in the 400m hurdles event with multiple Olympic and World Championship medals.

She is also the European record holder in the 400m hurdles. After tasting such success in her career, she recently opened up about her initial interest in track.

Bol said that she was seven years old when she started her initial years in athletics after joining a club where her brother was also a member with the motivation of having fun there. She said (via Linda.nl):

"I liked to run circles around the parking lot in our residential area, to make sure my kite went high into the air. When I was seven, I went to athletics. My brother was already at that club and I thought it would be a lot of fun."

Femke Bol is currently preparing for the 2025 season with her teammates and has been seen in several types of training sessions.

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Femke Bol on the 50-second barrier in the 400m hurdles

Bol after clinching the 400m hurdles first position during the 2022 European Championships (Image via: Getty Images)

Femke Bol shared her thoughts on breaking the 50-second barrier in the 400m hurdles. This came just a few days after she clocked her personal best run-time of 50.95 seconds at the 2024 Resisprint International held in July. Notably, Bol and USA's Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone are the only two female athletes who boast of a run-time of under 51 seconds in the 400m hurdles.

In an interview with Athletics Weekly, Bol claimed that she had no idea about the possibility of breaking the 50-second barrier. She also mentioned that she was focusing on her racing but it would be cool if she or McLaughlin-Levrone could clock under 50 seconds in the future. She said (1:36 onwards):

"I didn't think the 50 barrier was possible a few years ago. So, I think we're (she and McLaughlin-Levrone) just running faster, faster, and faster and I mean it would be crazy if one day one of us or someone else can break the 50 barrier. I'll just focus on my race and see where it brings us but it will be cool if one day it is possible."

Besides the 400m hurdles event, Femke Bol is also an impressive 400m dash runner. She has a personal best time of 49.17 seconds which is currently 24th in the all-time list.