Shamier Little and Femke Bol are set to extend their spirited rivalry over the women’s 400m hurdles at the 2021 Muller British Grand Prix in Gateshead, a Wanda Diamond League tour meeting on July 13. The world-class long hurdles stars have already met twice so far this season with Bol coming out on top on both occasions.
The pair previously met in Stockholm and then again in Szekesfehervar, and in both instances, track and field fans were treated to something special.
In a high-quality clash at the Bauhaus-Galan – Wanda Diamond League meeting – inside Stockholm’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday, July 4, Dutch and European standout Bol posted a flashing time of 52.37 seconds on her way to setting another national record. It was her 12th Dutch record of the year and it improved her personal best from 53.33s, which was set at the Oslo Bislett Games on July 1.
In the race in Stockholm, Little who fought Bol all the way to the line, also stopped the clock at a lifetime best of 52.39s.
READ MORE: Femke Bol targeting women’s 400m hurdles world record?
Bol got the better of Little again at the 2021 Istvan Gyulai Memorial in Hungary on Tuesday (6) when the 21-year-old used the same strategy of going out hard in the opening half of the race and fended off another strong finish from Little to win in 52.81 to the American’s 52.85.
“It’s another 52, but I’m very tired now,” said Bol after her victory at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting in Szekesfehervar. “It’s nice to race against someone who’s so close to you.”
Meanwhile, while Bol will return to training to finalize her preparations for the Tokyo Olympics at the end of this month, Little will not be at the Games after she finished fourth at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials last month.
READ: Sydney McLaughlin smashes 400m hurdles world record at U.S. Olympic Trials
Also among the athletes entered for the 2021 Muller British Grand Prix in Gateshead is Jamaica’s Janieve Russell, the 2018 Commonwealth Games who finished third behind Bol and Little in Hungary with a season’s best time of 53.68s.
Olympic bronze medalist Ashley Spencer of the USA will also face the starter, along with Swiss talent and the world and Olympic finalist Lea Sprunger who is also the European champion.
Great Britain Tokyo Olympic bound Meghan Beesley, Jessie Knight, and Jessica Turner will make up the field.
READ MORE: Selected Photos from the 2021 Stockholm Diamond League meeting
