Femke Bol unlikely to be a 'Racer' in the Michael Johnson-organized revolutionary Grand Slam Track League

Femke Bol is not likely be one of the 'Racers' in Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track League, as confirmed by her coach, Laurent Meuwly. Participation in 400m and 400m hurdles over three days in three out of four meets in the USA didn't sound sensible to Meuwly.

Femke Bol was the 400m hurdles champion at the 2023 World Championships and won the 400m title at the 2024 World Indoor Championships. She also set the 400m short track world record by clocking 49.17s, besides breaking the 400m hurdles European record in 51.45s. Her phenomenal performance placed her second behind Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in the all-time standings.

However, Femke Bol will not follow McLaughlin-Levrone to be a 'Racer' in the Michael Johnson-hosted Grand Slam Track League. Her coach, Laurent Meuwly, revealed that while he was not against more professionalism and more money in athletics, the format was not suitable for healthy participation.

Since Femke Bol will have to commit to two events (400m and 400m hurdles) in each Slam over three days in the USA/Caribbean in April-May-June, Meuwly expressed doubts about her participation.

Bol's coach took to his X handle to announce his decision.

"Nothing against innovation and more professionalism in our beloved sport. Actually it's quite the opposite. BUT... we won't compete 400-400H in 3 days with probably 3 out of 4 meets in USA/Caraibbean in April-May-June. More money and more duels in our sport is good but it has to make sense," he wrote.

The track league, introduced by Michael Johnson to change the landscape of track, is scheduled to debut in Los Angeles in April 2025. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has signed as the first 'Racer' of the Grand Slam Track.

Femke Bol and her coach focused on 'consistency and being healthy' in the Olympic year

The Olympic bronze medalist and her coach didn't restructure the training routine or diet after her 2023 World Championships win. According to Meuwly, the same athletes will be on the starting line at the Olympics and the Worlds. So, in the Olympic build-up, he won't make major changes.

"I think that’s a mistake which a lot of people make during an Olympic year. They think ‘if we do a little bit more of this or that different’ then it’s going to pay somehow, but I prefer to repeat what we saw was working very well and focus on staying healthy because I do think that consistency and being healthy is more important," he said. (via Athletics Weekly).

Femke Bol was No.1 in the 400m hurdles in the World Athletics Rankings in 2021-2024. She defended two titles at the 2024 European Championships on her way to the 2024 Olympic Trials.