2023-08-19 22:16:10
This will remain as one of the strong images of these World Athletics Championships in Budapest. While battling American Alexis Holmes in a breathless sprint for the gold medal in the mixed 4x400m relay, Dutch Femke Bol, presented as one of the stars of the World Championships, fell heavily a few meters from the finish line.
Bol, world vice-champion in the 400m hurdles a year ago in Eugene, not only let slip the gold medal but, with more serious consequences for her and her partners who had carried out a perfect relay, it also cost the podium in the Netherlands by letting the baton escape far ahead of her.
After crashing her face on the track, she got up, crossed the line in third position but was logically disqualified, leaving the Czech Republic, initially fourth, to grab the bronze medal behind the Grande- Brittany, silver medalist. The United States triumphed and set a world record in 3′08′’80.
The French relay, composed of Gilles Biron, Louise Maraval, Téo Andant and Amandine Brossier took fourth place (3′12′’99). The French had signed the fifth fastest time in the series, beating the national record to reach the final (3′12′’25).
Bol will have the opportunity to redeem himself in the 400m hurdles, the series of which will take place on Tuesday evening.
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