DUTCH DISASTER: Sifan Hassan and Femke Bol Both Fall Meters from Finish and Netherlands Goes Home Empty Handed

What a crazy conclusion to Day 1 at the World Athletics Championships. In the span of 23 minutes, the Netherlands was just meters away from winning double gold in the women’s 10,000m and mixed gender 4×400, with a world record to boot in the 4×400.  Instead, they went home empty-handed with no medals. First up, was the women’s 10,000m where Sifan Hassan, was attempting the 10,000m, 5000m, 1500m triple. After a slow opening pace, there were 10 women kicking for gold on the final lap. And coming down the homestretch Sifan Hassan appeared she might have it. She was battling Gudaf Tsegay for gold. Then this happened:

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Hassan was 10 to 12 strides from winning 10,000m gold or at worst getting silver and instead she had fallen and went home with nothing.

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Mixed Gender 4×400 Craziness

Then was the final event of the night, the mixed gender 4×400 where the Netherlands got the anchor with the lead and Femke Bol, who has run 49.26 for 400m on the anchor, vs Alexis Holmes of the US who has a 50.32 PB. Bol led into the homestretch and was meters from gold and a subsequent world record when this happened.

Double Dutch Fall #WorldAthleticsChamps #Budapest2023 #Bol #Hassan pic.twitter.com/dXxv6fO3fx

— Sanos (@san_os78) August 19, 2023

She’d cross the line in third, but without the baton and that means she was DQd. In the span of 23 minutes, the Netherlands went from having one of the greatest nights in their athletics history to one that is already being dubbed the Dutch Disaster. It was entertaining one to say the least.

Men’s Shot Put: Crouser goes back-to-back

Despite reports earlier in the week that he was dealing with blood clots in his legs, the defending Olympic and world champion, Ryan Crouser, prevailed to win his second straight world championship in a new World Championship Record of 23.51 meters. Crouser was just barely off his personal best and the world record of 23.56 meters. The surprise silver medalist was Leonardo Fabbri of Italy, who had the day of his life, improving upon his PB by 35 centimeters to 22.34 meters. Fabbri’s best finish at a major senior championship prior to this was 7th at the 2022 European Championships in Munich. The bronze medalist was former world champion, Joe Kovacs, of the United States. Kovacs threw 22.12 meters and was able to place on the podium for the fifth straight world championships. Results of the three finals from Saturday below

Women’s 10,000m Results

Mixed Gender 4×400 Results

Men’s Shot Put