Yeah I think Bol would do very well at 800, much lower than I estimated a couple of years ago. By all accounts she dominates the group stamina sessions, especially the rare 800s. Several of her teammates raved on social media about one block of 800s, with Ajla del Ponte writing, "Bambi was awesome today." That's Bol's nickname within the group.
I’m rooting for her to kill it at 800m but what’s interesting is in 400h races versus SML, Bol is close at 300m and loses a ton of ground in the last 100m.
Perhaps SML simply saves more for the end, but doesn’t seem very promising for Bol’s stamina in the 800. Regardless, I’m sure she’s training for it.
She is close at 300M and then dies in the last 100M because she is using too much energy to keep up with the fire space Sydney sets. Sydney being a much faster sprint covers the distance with less energy.
Incorrect. Sydney is a substantial faster sprinter than Femke. Sydney's PB over 200M is 0.73 faster than Femke's, with Sydney's official outdoor 200M PB being 22.07 compared to Femke's 22.80.
Sydney being that much faster means that Femke has never had a chance irrespective of the type of race she runs. If she runs a slower 100M, Sydney would blow by her in the first 50M. If she tries to keep up with Sydney for the first 200M, the attempt will see her using a lot more energy. It would basically become an all out sprint for her to keep pace with Sydney and she will have nothing left in the latter half of the race. We saw this in Paris.
I wish her luck in the 800M. Perhaps she will do something similar in the 800M to what Sydney just did to the 400M at Worlds in Tokyo.
I use Bol's short track 200m PB of 22.64, not her 22.80, as World Athletics now use 'absolute' PBs, for in/outdoors, plus it is far more representative of her ability.
Regardless, I think we are making the same point otherwise, as is NYDCRunner1: Bol 'dying' compared to SML in the final 100m in a 400mh race has no bearing on her 800m ability or 'stamina'.
I use Bol's short track 200m PB of 22.64, not her 22.80, as World Athletics now use 'absolute' PBs, for in/outdoors, plus it is far more representative of her ability.
Regardless, I think we are making the same point otherwise, as is NYDCRunner1: Bol 'dying' compared to SML in the final 100m in a 400mh race has no bearing on her 800m ability or 'stamina'.
Bol had to do a lot of sprint work in recent years to get down to that 22.64. There were frequent training videos of her racing 200s against Klaver and Kielbasinka, then versus Klaver and others once Kielbasinka departed. By all accounts Bol does not like short sprint training and it's one of the reasons she moved up to 800.
Bol has always been a closer in relay legs. I doubt that holds up at 800. I would expect her to need the lead and comparatively give way late.
We'll see. I have not seen Bol release her indoor schedule. If she does not run indoors that would be a huge mistake, IMO. Indoor meets have considerably more distance flexibility than outdoors. She could experiment with 600 before moving up to 800. The Dutch 800 ranks are not strong at all right now. I think Femke could cruise to a national indoor title there. That final is always a jogfest for 3 laps then somebody picks up the pace just enough to break 2:10.
There's also the New Balance meet in Boston in a few weeks. Seemingly that meet would tailor any race for Bol. When she ran 500 world record there a few years ago her appearance wasn't announced until not long before the meet.
Incorrect. Sydney is a substantial faster sprinter than Femke. Sydney's PB over 200M is 0.73 faster than Femke's, with Sydney's official outdoor 200M PB being 22.07 compared to Femke's 22.80.
Sydney being that much faster means that Femke has never had a chance irrespective of the type of race she runs. If she runs a slower 100M, Sydney would blow by her in the first 50M. If she tries to keep up with Sydney for the first 200M, the attempt will see her using a lot more energy. It would basically become an all out sprint for her to keep pace with Sydney and she will have nothing left in the latter half of the race. We saw this in Paris.
I wish her luck in the 800M. Perhaps she will do something similar in the 800M to what Sydney just did to the 400M at Worlds in Tokyo.
I use Bol's short track 200m PB of 22.64, not her 22.80, as World Athletics now use 'absolute' PBs, for in/outdoors, plus it is far more representative of her ability.
Regardless, I think we are making the same point otherwise, as is NYDCRunner1: Bol 'dying' compared to SML in the final 100m in a 400mh race has no bearing on her 800m ability or 'stamina'.
You are not comparing like to like. And 22.64 is not representative of her true ability. The 22.80 is. Just like her altitude time set for the 400H is not a true representative of her ability.
You, her coach and her, falls into the false sense of thinking she's faster than she has actually demonstrated to be and thus when up against SML who is much much faster, her true measure is made immediately apparent.
It will be interesting to see her performance at 800M.
Incorrect. Sydney is a substantial faster sprinter than Femke. Sydney's PB over 200M is 0.73 faster than Femke's, with Sydney's official outdoor 200M PB being 22.07 compared to Femke's 22.80.
SMLs ability is likely 3 tenths faster than her current PB at 200m.
I use Bol's short track 200m PB of 22.64, not her 22.80, as World Athletics now use 'absolute' PBs, for in/outdoors, plus it is far more representative of her ability.
Regardless, I think we are making the same point otherwise, as is NYDCRunner1: Bol 'dying' compared to SML in the final 100m in a 400mh race has no bearing on her 800m ability or 'stamina'.
Bol had to do a lot of sprint work in recent years to get down to that 22.64. There were frequent training videos of her racing 200s against Klaver and Kielbasinka, then versus Klaver and others once Kielbasinka departed. By all accounts Bol does not like short sprint training and it's one of the reasons she moved up to 800.
Bol has always been a closer in relay legs. I doubt that holds up at 800. I would expect her to need the lead and comparatively give way late.
We'll see. I have not seen Bol release her indoor schedule. If she does not run indoors that would be a huge mistake, IMO. Indoor meets have considerably more distance flexibility than outdoors. She could experiment with 600 before moving up to 800. The Dutch 800 ranks are not strong at all right now. I think Femke could cruise to a national indoor title there. That final is always a jogfest for 3 laps then somebody picks up the pace just enough to break 2:10.
There's also the New Balance meet in Boston in a few weeks. Seemingly that meet would tailor any race for Bol. When she ran 500 world record there a few years ago her appearance wasn't announced until not long before the meet.
Has Bol come to the US other than for international champs? I'd be surprised if she did although I agree with you as far as competition is concerned. Tactics wise, indoor running can be valuable experience.
Bol had to do a lot of sprint work in recent years to get down to that 22.64. There were frequent training videos of her racing 200s against Klaver and Kielbasinka, then versus Klaver and others once Kielbasinka departed. By all accounts Bol does not like short sprint training and it's one of the reasons she moved up to 800.
Bol has always been a closer in relay legs. I doubt that holds up at 800. I would expect her to need the lead and comparatively give way late.
We'll see. I have not seen Bol release her indoor schedule. If she does not run indoors that would be a huge mistake, IMO. Indoor meets have considerably more distance flexibility than outdoors. She could experiment with 600 before moving up to 800. The Dutch 800 ranks are not strong at all right now. I think Femke could cruise to a national indoor title there. That final is always a jogfest for 3 laps then somebody picks up the pace just enough to break 2:10.
There's also the New Balance meet in Boston in a few weeks. Seemingly that meet would tailor any race for Bol. When she ran 500 world record there a few years ago her appearance wasn't announced until not long before the meet.
Has Bol come to the US other than for international champs? I'd be surprised if she did although I agree with you as far as competition is concerned. Tactics wise, indoor running can be valuable experience.
New Balance indoor meet in 2023 when she ran the WR in the 500, and Eugene Diamond League
Incorrect. Sydney is a substantial faster sprinter than Femke. Sydney's PB over 200M is 0.73 faster than Femke's, with Sydney's official outdoor 200M PB being 22.07 compared to Femke's 22.80.
SMLs ability is likely 3 tenths faster than her current PB at 200m.
I would agree. I suspect SML's 200M would be in the 21.5 to 21.7 range.
You are not comparing like to like. And 22.64 is not representative of her true ability. The 22.80 is. Just like her altitude time set for the 400H is not a true representative of her ability.
You, her coach and her, falls into the false sense of thinking she's faster than she has actually demonstrated to be and thus when up against SML who is much much faster, her true measure is made immediately apparent.
It will be interesting to see her performance at 800M.
No, I am not comparing like for like. I am comparing Bol's best time over the 200m distance where she has the disadvantage of two tight bends vs SML's best time over the 200m distance where she has the advantage of one nice, gentle curve.
Bol's time was run in Metz, which has particularly unforgiving turns, and 1 hour after running 49.69 over 400m. So anyone unbiased and with common sense would conclude she could actually run much faster.
Comparing Bol's indoor 200m PB to her 400mh PB (NOT set at altitude...) is quite ridiculous. Regardless of 'downhill' bends in an indoor 200m, which some like to erroneously focus on, the two tight bends for someone with lanky legs and over 6ft tall is most certainly not an advantage to an outdoor track.
Regardless of all the above, and what you or I think SML & Bol could run, SML's 200m PB is 22.07 & Bol's 200m PB is 22.64. Period.
Well said. NYDCRunner1 has some subjective bias, because it's ok to overstate Sydney's 200m ability by a huge half a second (WTF?) whereas despite actually running 22.64 indoors, you must use Femke's 22.80, and then, you are over estimating her speed!
It's common sense Bol could have run faster than 22.64 coz she ran the bl00dy time indoors.
No, I am not comparing like for like. I am comparing Bol's best time over the 200m distance where she has the disadvantage of two tight bends vs SML's best time over the 200m distance where she has the advantage of one nice, gentle curve.
Bol's time was run in Metz, which has particularly unforgiving turns, and 1 hour after running 49.69 over 400m. So anyone unbiased and with common sense would conclude she could actually run much faster.
Comparing Bol's indoor 200m PB to her 400mh PB (NOT set at altitude...) is quite ridiculous. Regardless of 'downhill' bends in an indoor 200m, which some like to erroneously focus on, the two tight bends for someone with lanky legs and over 6ft tall is most certainly not an advantage to an outdoor track.
Regardless of all the above, and what you or I think SML & Bol could run, SML's 200m PB is 22.07 & Bol's 200m PB is 22.64. Period.
I have just rewatched the Metz 200m where she ran 22.64. In fact, the Metz track has very flat bends compared to some of the more steeply embanked tracks e.g the Birmingham indoor track, which give a downhill element.
You are not comparing like to like. And 22.64 is not representative of her true ability. The 22.80 is. Just like her altitude time set for the 400H is not a true representative of her ability.
You, her coach and her, falls into the false sense of thinking she's faster than she has actually demonstrated to be and thus when up against SML who is much much faster, her true measure is made immediately apparent.
It will be interesting to see her performance at 800M.
No, I am not comparing like for like. I am comparing Bol's best time over the 200m distance where she has the disadvantage of two tight bends vs SML's best time over the 200m distance where she has the advantage of one nice, gentle curve.
Bol's time was run in Metz, which has particularly unforgiving turns, and 1 hour after running 49.69 over 400m. So anyone unbiased and with common sense would conclude she could actually run much faster.
Comparing Bol's indoor 200m PB to her 400mh PB (NOT set at altitude...) is quite ridiculous. Regardless of 'downhill' bends in an indoor 200m, which some like to erroneously focus on, the two tight bends for someone with lanky legs and over 6ft tall is most certainly not an advantage to an outdoor track.
Regardless of all the above, and what you or I think SML & Bol could run, SML's 200m PB is 22.07 & Bol's 200m PB is 22.64. Period.
SML's outdoor PB is 22.07 and Bol's is 22.8. given that Sydney has never run an indoor 200M while Bol has run an outdoor 200M, comparing their indoor and outdoor PBs where you admit the tracks are different is inane (and I am being nice). Full stop.
Well said. NYDCRunner1 has some subjective bias, because it's ok to overstate Sydney's 200m ability by a huge half a second (WTF?) whereas despite actually running 22.64 indoors, you must use Femke's 22.80, and then, you are over estimating her speed!
It's common sense Bol could have run faster than 22.64 coz she ran the bl00dy time indoors.
I never get the anti-Femke nonsense on here.
sighhhh. this coming from someone who uses an anagram of femke's name. Dude, you are just weird.
I never get the constant Bol is a superstar BS. If she is, then SML is transcendent.
I never get the constant attempts from you people to reduce SML's talent and accomplishments.
Bol is not in the same league as SML. And SML has proved this every single time they have been in the same race.
sighhhh. this coming from someone who uses an anagram of femke's name. Dude, you are just weird.
I never get the constant Bol is a superstar BS. If she is, then SML is transcendent.
I never get the constant attempts from you people to reduce SML's talent and accomplishments.
Bol is not in the same league as SML. And SML has proved this every single time they have been in the same race.
Of course Bol is a superstar. She's the 2nd fastest woman of all-time, she is double World Champion, double Olympic medalist, multiple indoor champion, indoor WR holder.... how is that not a superstar?
Where was I reducing Sydney's talent & accomplishments in this thread? I'm doing nothing of the sort. You're the one refusing to use Bol's actual 200m PB of 22.64, yet in the next breath telling us Sydney's 22.07 is not representative & she is a 21.5-21.7 athlete.
And why has a discussion on Bol now probably being able to run a great 800m turned into a Bol vs Sydney p*ssing match? Dude, you made it such. You are the weirdo.
why are Bol fans always confusing outdoors and indoors? is it because the indoor time is the ONLY time that Bol can be meaning in the topic? Like you guys keep using her indoor 400m PB when ppl talking about outdoor 400m. then you know what? she's soundly beaten up by Naser at outdoor runs. I bet this matchup gave her a lesson that she's no business in outdoor 400m that's why she finally quit competeing at 400m and chose the 800m instead lol.
and now you are using indoor 200m comparing Sydney's outdoor 200m time? what's wrong with you guys? should I remind you that Sydney's 22.07 could get her silver medals both at Paris 2024 and Tokyo 2025 IF she chose to run 200m then? can you guys say that to Bol?
get rid of two WC champions as EVERYONE knows Bol could win these two championships just because Sydney's not running. and ths indoor 400m Bols fans always brag about is like a joke too, you do know that Sydney, Paulino and Naser don't run indoors professionally, do you?
why are Bol fans always confusing outdoors and indoors? is it because the indoor time is the ONLY time that Bol can be meaning in the topic? Like you guys keep using her indoor 400m PB when ppl talking about outdoor 400m. then you know what? she's soundly beaten up by Naser at outdoor runs. I bet this matchup gave her a lesson that she's no business in outdoor 400m that's why she finally quit competeing at 400m and chose the 800m instead lol.
and now you are using indoor 200m comparing Sydney's outdoor 200m time? what's wrong with you guys? should I remind you that Sydney's 22.07 could get her silver medals both at Paris 2024 and Tokyo 2025 IF she chose to run 200m then? can you guys say that to Bol?
I'm guessing by the words & punctuation you're a teenager. So I will give you some slack here.
This is my final post on this thread because some of you are clearer Bol-haters.
No one is confusing outdoors and indoors. The reason why we use Bol's indoor times is because a) they are her best times b) indoors & outdoors are now merged by World Athletics as absolute bests and c) whilst Bol tends to run a comprehensive indoor season at 400m, she does not outdoors, where she runs the hurdles instead.
She is not 'soundly beaten up by Naser at outdoor runs'....she has raced Naser ONCE outdoors in her whole career, 2025 Ostrava 49.15 for Naser & 49.98 for Bol. That was Bol's opening flat 400m last year - her last flat 400m race was 11 months before - and 4th race at all distances. Ostrava was Naser's 6th race at 400m and 13th race at all distances, so she was already well-raced at that distance. Paulino also lost to Naser early season in Kingston (and later in Zurich)
Bol only ran one other flat race in 2025, 3 days later, improving to 49.48. In that race she beat the Olympic bronze medalist, European Champion & 2022 World silver medalist Bukowiecka, who she has now beaten 8 times in a row. She averages around a 0.5 winning magin over the Pole. Bol is clearly superior to Bukowiecka who has finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the last 3 Global Championships.
Anyone who says Bol is not super talented at both the 400m and 400mh is clearly wrong. And despite my handle, I am quite happy to say that if Bol had run the 400m flat in Tokyo 2025, I don't think she would have won a medal, but would likely have finished 4th in around 48.7 (going by her average winning margin against Bukowiecka & Anning (in relay head-to-heads). I am not fanboy enough to say she would have beaten Naser. I do believe though, that had she run the 400m in Paris she would have won bronze, and had she run the 400m in Budapest she would have won silver.