Track star Femke Bol cites stress in decision to step back at European Championships

Femke Bol has decided to take a step back at the indoor European Championships in Apeldoorn. The 25-year-old will only compete in the 400-meter relay race. Bol made the decision shortly after the Olympic Games in Paris last summer. “I needed a rest. Not physically, but mentally. I wanted to take some time for myself and the people around me,” she said during the presentation of the athletics team for the indoor European Championships at Papendal Sports Center.

Bol felt that her stress was increasing after the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. The runner from Amersfoort ran in every possible championship and won a lot of medals and records in the years that followed. “More and more was coming at me, and it was so busy last year that I lost my joy in training. It was a difficult choice, but thus far, it feels very good to be saying no for once.”

There was no doubt in Bol’s mind that she still had to be present at the indoor European Championships in Apeldoorn from March 6 to March 9. "I want to run the relay. Who wouldn't want to run at a home tournament? That's so special. I may never experience that again. I'll also be in good shape at the start. Although I haven't run any competitions, I have trained harder than ever."

Bol will then turn her targets to the outside season after the European Championships. The 25-year-old from Amersfoort is clear about her ambitions: everything will again revolve around the 400-meter hurdles, the event in which she is the reigning European and world champion.

She achieved a somewhat disappointing bronze in this race at the Paris Games. "I'm still not happy with that race, but the 400-meter hurdles is an event that I really like, and I see that there are still things I can do better."