It’s an Era to Be In- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Inspires Femke Bol’s Raw Reaction After Stockholm Win

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol

It’s an Era to Be In- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Inspires Femke Bol’s Raw Reaction After Stockholm Win

Festus Chuma 20:30 - 17.06.2025

Femke Bol shares her pride and excitement after competing alongside legendary hurdlers Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Dalilah Muhammad this season.

Dutch track star Femke Bol is riding high on a season filled with electrifying performances and powerful rivalries.

Bol is not shying away from revealing just how much it means to her career.

Following her dominant victory at the Stockholm Diamond League meet, Bol opened up about the impact of competing alongside the legends of her event – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Dalilah Muhammad.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

Bol, who clocked a blistering 52.11 seconds to take first place in Stockholm, left no doubt about her command in the women’s 400m hurdles.

In the process, she lowered her own meeting record, leaving behind 2016 Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad, who finished second.

The performance followed a strong start to her season that included double golds in the mixed and women’s 4x400m relays at the European Indoor Championships, both in record times.

“We have so many fast girls. We have the four fastest women in history, all competing at the same time. It's an era to be in and I think I enjoy it so much. And it's great to see so many people enjoying the corner hurdles,” Bol said in her post-race interview, visibly energized by the high-caliber competition.

Bol’s admiration is particularly directed at Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who recently made headlines yet again by defending her Olympic title in Paris, breaking her own world record for the sixth time with a stunning 50.37s performance.

McLaughlin-Levrone also anchored the U.S. women’s 4x400m relay team to gold, cementing her place as the sport’s dominant force.

Racing Among Legends

The presence of Dalilah Muhammad, a former world record holder and Olympic gold medalist, alongside Bol and McLaughlin-Levrone, has created an unprecedented golden era in women’s 400m hurdles.

Bol became only the second woman in history to break the 51-second barrier after McLaughlin-Levrone, showcasing just how far the event has evolved in recent years.

These rivalries have fueled some of the most memorable races in track and field, pushing each athlete to new heights.

“It’s crazy to think that all of us are competing in the same season, sometimes in the same races,” Bol noted.

“It makes everything feel more historic. Every meet feels like a championship final.”

A Season of Highs and Setbacks

Femke Bol. Photo. Imago

While Bol continues to surge forward, McLaughlin-Levrone recently faced a professional setback.

The highly anticipated Grand Slam Track (GST) League finale in Los Angeles was abruptly cancelled due to unresolved venue issues.

McLaughlin-Levrone, who was preparing for the event after an impressive showing at GST Miami and GST Philadelphia, was left without a chance to compete.

Her coach, Bobby Kersee, voiced his frustration: “Deeply disappointed about the cancellation of the L.A. Grand Slam track meet. Over four decades in this sport, I've watched too many promising initiatives fall short due to organizational challenges, particularly from lack of corporate sponsorship. Our athletes are world-class. They train hard and deserve better.”

Despite the disappointment, McLaughlin-Levrone’s season has been nothing short of historic.

Her Olympic triumphs and standout performances across the Grand Slam Track circuit earned her the 2024 World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year award.

“To be part of this era, running with women like Sydney and Dalilah, it makes every second on the track feel like a privilege,” she noted.