History of Femke Bol in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 4, 2024

Femke Bol is a Dutch track and field athlete known for her achievements in hurdling, sprinting, and relays. She specializes in the 400-meter hurdles, holding the 2023 World Championship title. She also excels in the 400-meter sprint, holding the 2024 World Indoor Championship and the world record in the short track version. Bol has achieved significant success in the 4x400-meter relay, earning gold medals in both the 2023 World Championships and 2024 World Indoor Championships with the Dutch women's team. She also secured an Olympic gold medal in the mixed relay at the 2024 Olympic Games.

1950: Fanny Blankers-Koen's Triple Gold at European Championships

Fanny Blankers-Koen, a Dutch athlete, achieved a historic triple gold medal win at the 1950 European Athletics Championships. This achievement serves as a significant milestone in Dutch athletics history.

1982: World Record in Indoor 400m

At the Dutch Indoor Championships, Femke Bol broke the long-standing world record in the indoor 400m with a time of 49.26 seconds, surpassing Jarmila Kratochvílová's 1982 record. This accomplishment marked a significant achievement in her career and in the sport.

1986: Historic Gold Medal Hat-trick at European Championships

Femke Bol achieved a historic feat at the European Championships in Munich, becoming the first female sprinter to win gold in both the 400m and 400m hurdles events. She set a new national record in the 400m with a time of 49.44 seconds, the fastest at the European Championships since 1986. In the 4x400m relay, she anchored the Netherlands to victory, securing their third gold medal and setting a national record. Her time of 48.52 seconds in the relay was also the fastest at a European Championship since 1986. This achievement made her the second Dutch athlete, following Fanny Blankers-Koen in 1950, to win three gold medals at the European Championships.

1998: Ester Goossens Sets National Record

In 1998, Ester Goossens set a national record in the 400 meter hurdles, a record that would stand for over two decades.

1998: Ester Goossens' Record Broken

In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, Lieke Klaver surpassed Ester Goossens' long-standing Dutch record in the 400 meters, a record that had remained unchallenged since 1998.

February 2000: Early Life and Introduction to Judo

Femke Bol was born in Amersfoort, Netherlands, in February 2000. As a child, she briefly explored judo for a year following a couple of arm fractures, as recommended by her doctor to improve her falling techniques.

February 2000: Birth of Femke Bol

Femke Bol was born in February 2000.

2008: Discovering Athletics

Around 2008, inspired by her brother who was already a member, Femke Bol embarked on her athletic journey at a local club.

2009: Femke Bol's Time Makes Her Fastest European Woman Since 2009

Femke Bol's exceptional time in the 400 meters solidified her position as the fastest European woman in the event since 2009, marking a significant achievement in her career.

2013: World Best in 300m Hurdles and Continued Success

Femke Bol started her season by setting a world best in the 300m hurdles at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava, surpassing the previous record set by Zuzana Hejnová in 2013. She continued her winning streak with victories in Diamond League meetings in Rome, Oslo, and Stockholm, breaking a meet record in Oslo and improving her own Diamond League record in Stockholm.

2014: Joining AV Altis and Recognizing Talent

In 2014, Femke Bol made a significant move to another local athletics club, AV Altis, where her innate talent for longer sprints was recognized by her coach, marking a turning point in her athletic career.

2015: Focusing on the 400 Meters and Early Success

At the age of 15, Femke Bol made the decision to focus on the 400 meters, a decision that quickly paid off as she began triumphing in Dutch age-group competitions.

2015: European Youth Olympic Festival

In 2015, a 15-year-old Femke Bol gained valuable experience on the international stage at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Tbilisi, Georgia, where she competed in the 400 meters.

2016: Training Under Bram Peters and Dedication to Improvement

In 2016, Femke Bol's training regimen was taken to the next level under the guidance of renowned coach Bram Peters at the Ciko'66 athletics track in Arnhem. Her parents' unwavering support was evident in their daily commutes to facilitate her training.

2017: Historic 400m Hurdles Race

At the 2017 USATF Championships, a historic 400m hurdles race took place where three women achieved times under 53 seconds, a feat rarely accomplished.

2017: National Youth Titles and Continued Progress

Femke Bol's dedication and talent shone brightly as she accumulated an impressive five national youth titles in the 400 meters (both outdoor and indoor) between 2015 and 2017.

2018: Junior Titles and Growing Recognition

Femke Bol's dominance continued as she transitioned to the junior level, securing four national titles in 2018 and 2019 across various 400-meter disciplines, including outdoor, indoor, and hurdles.

November 2019: Training at Papendal Under Laurent Meuwly

In a significant career move, Femke Bol began training at the prestigious Dutch National Sports Centre Papendal near Arnhem from November 2019 onwards. Her coaching team consisted of the experienced Laurent Meuwly as the lead coach and her previous coach, Bram Peters, as the assistant coach.

2019: Building on Previous Success

Building on her success from the previous year, Femke Bol continued to demonstrate remarkable progress in 2019.

2019: Breakthrough Year: National Title, World Championship Qualification, and European U20 Championship Gold

Femke Bol had a momentous year in 2019, claiming her first senior national title in the indoor 400 meters. She then achieved the World Championship qualifying standard with a record-breaking performance in Geneva. In July, she further cemented her status as a rising star by winning a gold medal at the European U20 Championships in the 400 meters hurdles.

2019: Junior Titles and Growing Recognition

Femke Bol's dominance continued as she transitioned to the junior level, securing four national titles in 2018 and 2019 across various 400-meter disciplines, including outdoor, indoor, and hurdles.

March 2020: Adapting to COVID-19 Challenges and Breaking Records

As the world grappled with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Femke Bol's training regimen was significantly disrupted, forcing her to adapt by training on unconventional surfaces like gravel paths and grass fields. Despite these challenges, she persevered and shattered Ester Goossens' longstanding national 400 meters hurdles record, which had stood since 1998.

2020: Unbeaten Streak and Diamond League Victories

Femke Bol remained undefeated in her 2020 season, showcasing her dominance with victories in two Diamond League events. She secured her first Diamond League win at the Stockholm Bauhaus-galan.

2020: Olympic Bronze Medalist

Femke Bol showcased her exceptional skills on the global stage at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she earned a bronze medal.

2020: 2020 Tokyo Olympics Postponement

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were postponed to July and August 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 2021: Success at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

At the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Femke Bol participated in both 400m hurdles and relay events, setting national records in the mixed and women's 4x400m relays. In the 400m hurdles final, she earned a bronze medal with a time of 52.03 seconds, setting a new European record and becoming the third-fastest woman in the event's history. This achievement marked the Netherlands' first-ever Olympic medal in the 400m hurdles. Her outstanding performances led her to reach the No. 1 ranking in the World Athletics Rankings for the 400m hurdles.

2021: Start of 2021 Outdoor Season and Diamond League Success

Femke Bol kicked off her 2021 outdoor season, setting a national record in the 400m at the IFAM meeting. She continued to excel, breaking records in Diamond League meetings, including a European U23 record in Florence. She also participated in the European Team Championships, further improving her 400m record. Bol's winning streak continued throughout the season, culminating in a dominant performance at the Diamond League meeting in Gateshead.

2021: European Athletics Rising Star and World No. 1 Ranking

Femke Bol's meteoric rise in the world of athletics was acknowledged in 2021 when she was honored as the European Athletics Rising Star of the Year. Further solidifying her dominance, she achieved the No. 1 ranking in the 400 meters hurdles, a position she would maintain for the next three years.

2021: Diamond League Dominance Begins

Femke Bol's winning streak extended to the Diamond League, beginning her reign as champion in 2021.

2021: Continued Dominance in Diamond League and End of Season

Following the Olympics, Femke Bol maintained her dominance in the Diamond League, securing victories in Lausanne and the Zürich final with meet records. Her consistent wins in the Diamond League races throughout the season earned her her first Diamond trophy. She ended her season with another meet record in Bellinzona, concluding a successful year with an impressive 11 wins out of 12 hurdles races.

2021: Breakthrough Year and Accolades

In 2021, Femke Bol achieved significant milestones, setting numerous national records both individually and as part of relay teams. She also set records in the Diamond League, World Athletics Indoor Tour, and Continental Tour events. Her exceptional performances earned her the title of European Athletics Rising Star of the Year, solidifying her position as a rising star in athletics.

2022: Diamond League Success Continues

Femke Bol maintained her winning streak, securing the Diamond League championship title for the second consecutive year in 2022.

2022: European Athlete of the Year

Femke Bol's outstanding performance and dominance in her field earned her the well-deserved title of European Athlete of the Year in 2022.

2022: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's World Record

In 2022, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set the world record in the 400m hurdles, a time that remained faster than Bol's personal best as of July 2024.

2023: Education, Relationship, and Continued Athletic Pursuits

By 2023, Femke Bol was pursuing a degree in communication sciences at Wageningen University, showcasing her commitment to both academics and athletics. During this time, she was also in a relationship with Belgian pole vaulter Ben Broeders.

2023: Successful Title Defense and Relay Victory at European Indoor Championships

Femke Bol continued her success in 2023, defending her European 400m title at the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul. She achieved a time under 50 seconds, setting a new global record. Additionally, she anchored the Netherlands team to victory in the 4x400m relay, setting new Dutch and championship records and securing her seventh European title.

2023: Previous European Record in 400m Hurdles

Femke Bol had previously set the European record in the 400m hurdles in 2023, a record she subsequently broke in 2024.

2023: Double Gold at the World Championships

Femke Bol's reign continued in 2023, as she clinched two gold medals at the World Championships.

2023: European Athlete of the Year and Top Rankings

Femke Bol's remarkable achievements continued to garner recognition in 2023, earning her the prestigious title of European Athlete of the Year. Her exceptional performance also secured her the No. 3 ranking in the 400 meters and the No. 2 ranking among all female athletes, highlighting her versatility and dominance across multiple events.

2023: Continued Success and European Athlete of the Year

Following the World Championships, Femke Bol continued her winning streak, securing victories in the 400m hurdles at the Galà dei Castelli, Memorial Van Damme, and Prefontaine Classic, setting meeting records at each event. Her consistent outstanding performances throughout the year, including breaking the 52-second mark three times, led her to become the 2023 Diamond League champion and earn the title of European Athlete of the Year for the second time. This recognition solidified her position as a dominant force in athletics.

2023: Femke Bol Becomes World Champion

In 2023, Femke Bol solidified her place in athletics history by becoming the World Champion in the 400-meter hurdles.

2023: New Stride Pattern and Diamond League Success

In preparation for the 2023 outdoor season, Femke Bol focused on improving her speed by experimenting with a new stride pattern in the 400m hurdles. She began incorporating a fourteen-step pattern between the initial hurdles, alternating her leading leg, and then reverting to her usual fifteen-step pattern for the final hurdles. She debuted this new technique at a competition in Belgium, achieving a world-leading time. Bol's success continued as she won three Diamond League races, setting meet records in Rome, Oslo, and Lausanne.

2023: Triumph and Setback at the World Athletics Championships

The 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest brought both triumph and setback for Femke Bol. In a devastating fall during the 4x400m mixed relay, she lost the baton just meters from the finish line, resulting in a DNF for the Netherlands team. Despite this setback, she achieved a significant career milestone by winning her first world title in the 400m hurdles final. She followed this victory with another gold medal in the women's 4x400m relay, where her impressive anchor leg secured the win for the Netherlands.

March 2024: World Record in 400 Meters Short Track

Femke Bol etched her name in the record books in March 2024 by setting a new world record in the 400 meters short track, achieving a remarkable time of 49.17 seconds.

July 2024: European Record in 400 Meter Hurdles

Femke Bol's dominance in hurdling was evident in July 2024 when she shattered the European record in the 400-meter hurdles, clocking in at an impressive 50.95 seconds. This feat secured her position as the second-fastest woman ever in the event.

August 2024: European Record in Mixed 4 x 400 Meter Relay

Femke Bol, along with her Dutch teammates, set a new European record in the mixed 4 x 400 meters relay in August 2024, achieving a time of 3:07.43 minutes.

2024: Success at the 2024 European Championships

At the 2024 European Championships in Rome, Femke Bol earned a bronze medal on June 7th as part of the Dutch mixed 4 × 400 m relay team. She achieved the fastest female split time in the final. On June 11th, she retained her European title in the 400 m hurdles with a championship record, earning a Golden Crown for her performance. She concluded the championships on June 12th by anchoring the Dutch women's 4 × 400 m relay team to victory, securing her second gold and third medal of the event.

2024: Start of 2024 Indoor Season

Femke Bol began her 2024 indoor season on February 3rd in Metz, where she triumphed in the 400 meters short track, setting a new meeting record. She also secured victory in the 200 meters short track with a new Dutch indoor and meeting record. She continued her winning streak in Liévin on February 10th, setting another meeting record in the 400 meters short track. At the Dutch Indoor Athletics Championships on February 18th, she shattered her own world record in the 400 meters short track.

2024: Start of 2024 Outdoor Season and World Relays

Femke Bol commenced her 2024 outdoor season in Willemstad, Curaçao on April 28th, achieving personal bests in the 100 meters and 150 meters. She participated in the World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas on May 4th and 5th, where she anchored the Dutch mixed 4 × 400 m relay team to a championship record in the heats and a silver medal in the final, securing their qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics. On June 2nd, she won her first 400 m hurdles race of the season at the Bauhaus-galan in Stockholm.

2024: Dutch Championships and Fanny Blankers-Koen Games

Femke Bol participated in the 200 m race at the 2024 Dutch Championships in Hengelo on June 29th and 30th, achieving a personal best in the final. On July 7th, she triumphed in the 400 m race at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in Hengelo, setting a new meeting record.

2024: Maintaining World No. 1 Ranking

Femke Bol's consistent excellence kept her at the top of her game in 2024, retaining her No. 1 ranking in the 400 meters hurdles.

2024: World Indoor Champion and Olympic Success

Femke Bol's exceptional talent continued to shine in 2024, securing her the title of World Indoor Champion in the 400 meters. Adding to her achievements, she also clinched victory in the 4 x 400 meters relay with the Dutch mixed team at the 2024 Olympic Games.

2024: Olympic Gold in Mixed 4 x 400 Meters Relay

On August 3rd, 2024, Femke Bol anchored the Netherlands to a gold medal in the mixed 4 x 400 meters relay at the Paris Olympics. They set an area record in the final, narrowly missing the world record set by the United States in the preliminaries.

2024: Record-Breaking Performances in 400m Hurdles

On July 14th, 2024, Femke Bol ran the 400m hurdles at Résisprint International in Switzerland in a time of 50.95 seconds, breaking her own European record and becoming the third-fastest woman in history in the event. On July 20th, 2024, she won the 400m hurdles at the London Athletics Meet, breaking both the meeting record and Diamond League record.

2024: Olympic Gold and Continued World Championship Success

The year 2024 proved to be another landmark year for Femke Bol as she achieved the pinnacle of athletic success by winning a gold medal at the Summer Olympics. Adding to her growing list of accolades, she secured two more gold medals at the World Indoor Championships.