This will remain as one of the strong images of these World Athletics Championships in Budapest. While battling with American Alexis Holmes in a thrilling sprint for the gold medal in the mixed 4x400m relay, Femke Bol of the Netherlands, billed as one of the stars of the World Championships, fell heavily a few meters from the finish line.
Bol, runner-up in the 400m hurdles a year ago in Eugene, not only let the gold medal slip away but, with more serious consequences for her and her partners who had achieved a perfect relay, she also cost the podium in the Netherlands by letting the baton escape far ahead of her.
😵 The Netherlands is cursed tonight! A few minutes after Hassan, it was Femke Bol's turn to fall on the line!
🔥 The USA offers itself the world record!#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/PgFb6tGpwS
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) August 19, 2023
After crashing her face on the track, she got up, crossed the line in third position but was logically disqualified, leaving the Czech Republic, initially fourth, to take the bronze medal behind Great Britain, silver medallist. The United States triumphed and set a world record in 3′08′'80.
The French relay, composed of Gilles Biron, Louise Maraval, Téo Andant and Amandine Brossier took fourth place (3′12′'99). The French had posted the fifth best time of the heats, beating the national record to reach the final (3′12′'25).
Bol will have the opportunity to redeem himself on the 400m hurdles whose heats will take place Tuesday night.