3 Facts You Need to Know About Femke Bol Disappointment Over Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Event Switch

Dutch star Femke Bol will enter next month's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo as a strong favourite for the women's 400m hurdles title — but with a tinge of disappointment.

The Dutch phenomenon has admitted she is disappointed that her great rival Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will not be competing, with the American choosing to concentrate on the 400m flat this year.

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Bol's reaction has its basis in more than competitiveness; it is a appreciation of their rare but legendary confrontations on the track.

For Bol, one of the greatest sources of disappointment is the loss of what would have been another headline-grabbing duel.

Their previous encounters have been electrifying, from McLaughlin-Levrone's world-record win at the Paris 2024 Olympics to her earlier triumphs at Tokyo 2020 and the 2022 World Championships. Each time, Bol was a witness to history, even if it was in the role of second best to the American.

Racing against McLaughlin-Levrone pushes Bol to her limits, and the Dutch athlete knows this very well. She thrives on the added pressure and rhythm that come from racing against the best.

In her own words, "It's always special to race against her. I love it, even though there's a very good chance I'll finish second."

For spectators, the possibility of a rematch between the world's two best hurdlers was one of the most highly awaited moments of the season.

Bol will probably overpower the field in the hurdles without McLaughlin-Levrone — but a win without that kind of rivalry rings hollow.

Although gold is always the goal, part of Bol's motivation comes from matching herself against the absolute standard of her felt event, a chance now lost in Tokyo.

An additional source of frustration for Bol is the utter scarcity with which she gets to face off against her American counterpart. Since McLaughlin-Levrone's Olympic debut, the two have met only a handful of times, each time at major championships.

Bol knows that in an era where stars often specialise, the chance to repeatedly face a generational talent is limited. McLaughlin-Levrone’s move to the flat 400m this season means their already infrequent meetings are now even more scarce.

As Bol put it, “As an athlete, I’d love to run against her, that just hasn’t happened very often.”

Their infrequency has only heightened their popularity, fostering a rivalry that is founded on respect rather than acrimony. For Bol, the absence of such a confrontation this year deprives the sport of one of its greatest storylines.

Finally, Bol's disappointment is rooted in admiration for McLaughlin-Levrone's ability. She refers to her American rival as "the very best ever in the event I do" — a compliment from a world champion.

The admiration comes from seeing McLaughlin-Levrone not just win, but redefine the possibilities of the women's 400m hurdles with performances like her 50.37-second world record in Paris.

For Bol, to be able to compete with an athlete of that caliber is not just a challenge but an honour. It's a chance to share the same stage during moments that are larger than sport, where records fall and barriers get broken.

Lacking McLaughlin-Levrone in the hurdles, Bol will miss out on the inspiration that comes with chasing an athlete at the absolute pinnacle of human performance.

Though the Dutch star will now focus on defending her 400m hurdles title and trying out the 200m flat, the Tokyo World Championships will be without the showdown that could have made the meet. For Bol — and for the fans of athletics — that absence is one no gold medal can fully fill.