Bol Leads Dutch To Olympic Mixed 4x400m Relay Gold

Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Aug, 2024) Femke Bol produced an astonishing anchor leg to lead the Dutch quartet to Olympic mixed 4x400m relay gold in Paris on Saturday.

Bol, along with Eugene Omalla, Lieke Klaver and Isaya Klein Ikkink clocked an European record of 3min 07.43sec for victory.

The United States took silver in 3:07.74, with Britain claiming bronze in a national record of 3:08.01.

The US quartet comprising Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Deadmon and Kaylyn Brown had led for the entire race.

But everyone at the near-capacity 69,000 Stade de France knew Brown had to hold off the challenge of Bol, a proven anchor leg runer of the highest quality.

The Dutch 400m hurdles specialist was fourth as she took the baton in her right hand.

Her eye-catching upright running style saw her round the far bend and start to move up through the gears.

By 200 metres she had gone past Amber Anning of Britain and Belgium's Naomi van den Broeck.

Down the home stretch, Brown tried to hold on for US victory, but just 10 metres from the line the metronomic Bol strode past for a famous victory.

Bol was timed at a stunning 47.93sec for her final lap.

The victory keeps Bol's bid for three Olympic golds on track.

In a quick turnaround, she lines up in round one of the 400m hurdles on Sunday before also tackling the women's 4x400m relay later in the week.