While most of the world was just beginning to shake off the chill of spring, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone had already ignited the track season with jaw-dropping performances that left the athletics world buzzing. She wasted no time. Her early May performances—an eye-popping 52.07 in the 400m hurdles followed by a lightning-fast 49.69 in the flat 400m—sent a message loud and clear: Sydney was back, and she meant business.
Her runs were more than just race wins. They were statements—bold declarations of intent that forced fans, rivals, and pundits alike to double-check their calendars. Was it really only May? The times she posted were the kind of marks we typically see in July or August, yet here she was, turning in world-class performances while many others were still finding their rhythm.
And then there was Femke Bol. The Dutch star had been noticeably absent from individual competition since September. While others battled it out on the track, Bol kept to the shadows, opting to run in relays rather than headline her own races. Her fans were left waiting, wondering when she’d step back into the solo spotlight. Meanwhile, McLaughlin-Levrone continued her reign unchallenged.
That changed in Rabat.
In what can only be described as a sensational comeback, Femke Bol made her long-awaited return to individual competition at the Rabat Diamond League. And she didn’t just return—she made a statement of her own. In her first solo race in nearly nine months, Bol dominated the 400m hurdles, finishing in a blistering 52.46 seconds. It was the second-fastest time in the world this year—only behind Sydney’s 52.07—and it shattered the meet record in the process.
Just like that, the race for 400m hurdles supremacy was back on.
This was not only Bol’s first individual outdoor race of the season but also a reaffirmation of her world-class talent. Though she’d been quiet on the circuit, Bol hadn’t been idle. Earlier in the year, she anchored the Netherlands to gold in the mixed 4x400m relay, helping them post a time of 3:15.63. But the Rabat race was her first chance to remind everyone that she’s still a force to be reckoned with in the hurdles.
Speaking to Citius MAG after her win, Bol was strikingly candid about her choice to skip the indoor season. “I was thinking it would be hard, but I actually had so much peace with my decision to not do it that I could really enjoy watching it,” she shared. “I could enjoy watching Lika winning the 400 meters, so I actually enjoyed it.”
She went on to reflect on her time away from competition, saying, “I enjoyed the tough trainings. I enjoyed not having the stress that I usually put on myself when I’m competing—so no, not really. And of course, I competed in 4x4s. It was something to look forward to during indoors.”
In a sport that thrives on matchups, the return of Femke Bol adds excitement, depth, and rivalry to an already explosive season. McLaughlin-Levrone may have set the early pace, but Bol is now hot on her heels. And with the summer season heating up, fans around the world can buckle up for what promises to be one of the most thrilling showdowns in track and field.