Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone vs Femke Bol: Who has fared better at the Paris Olympics ahead of the women's 400m hurdles finals

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol both have had strong starts to their campaigns at the Paris Olympics, and their impending battle in the finals promises to be a thriller. After their two races at Stade De France, the duo are split down the middle in their performance times, but the American will be the favorite to defend her title on August 8.

Between the two sprinters, Bol was the first in action at the Games, with her opening race being the mixed 4x400m relay finals that took place on August 3. Running the anchor leg for Netherlands, the 2023 World Champion was absolutely phenomenal, leading the team to gold when they were out of medal contention with her 47.93s split timing.

After that, the 24-year-old had barely a day of rest before she ran the opening rounds of the women's 400m hurdles. Competing in Heat 3, she clocked 53.38s, securing the fastest qualifying time of the day without trying.

From there, Bol only got better in the semifinals, stopping the clock at 52.57s to ensure that she competes in her second-consecutive 400mH Olympic finals.

Meanwhile, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's first outing at the Paris Olympics was the heats of the women's 400m hurdles that took place on Sunday, August 4. For the defending Olympic champion, this marked the first time she had donned Team USA’s uniform in a while, but she looked far from rusty. Competing in her first international competition since June 2023, the hurdler clocked a 53.60s to top her heat.

In her semifinals, McLaughlin-Levrone eased up well before the finish line, but still managed to run her race in a 52.13 that made her the fastest woman of the day.

Paris Olympics 2024: When will Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol race next?

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol (Source: Getty)

After their heroics in the women's 400mH semifinals at the Paris Olympics, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol will get a day of rest before they get back in action. On August 8, the two hurdlers will face off against each other in the finals, with the former remaining a heavy favorite for the win.

This Olympics finals will mark the first time McLaughlin-Levrone and Bol have faced off in a little over two years now, and this will be one of the most anticipated clashes of the Games. The American comes into the race as the world record holder, while her rival has gone unbeaten in all of her last 16 individual races over various distances.