Femke Bol targets another fast race at Bislett Games in Oslo: women’s 400m hurdles preview

The Bislett Games in Oslo Diamond League Meeting on Thursday, 15 June, will also feature the Olympic bronze medalist Femke Bol of The Netherlands in the women’s 400m hurdles, which is expected to be one of the highlighted events at the meeting. Bol comes into this race in great form, and the fans will anticipate another fast race from the Dutchwoman. Here is a preview of the race:

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Women’s 400m Hurdles Athletes to Watch at the 2023 Bislett Games

1. Femke Bol (NED): Bol is the current world leader in the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 52.43. Watch her run this time here. She is also the current meeting record holder, having run 52.61 in 2022. Based on her current form, Bol, who will be racing over the 400m hurdles for the third time this season, is the clear favorite to win the race in Oslo.
   
2. Anna Ryzhykova (UKR): Ryzhykova, the European bronze medalist, has not been in the best of form in the 400m hurdles this season, having clocked 56.97secs and 55.99secs from her two starts in the event in 2023. The Ukraine athlete has a personal best time of 52.96secs so she will be looking to improve on her early season below-par productions.
   
3. Rushell Clayton (JAM): Clayton, the 2019 world bronze medalist, is second in the Diamond League rankings this season with 10 points. The Jamaican comes in with a season best of 54.15secs, and although she is not expected to beat Bol, she will be aiming to take advantage of what is expected to be a quick race by improving on her current season best.
   
4. Janieve Russell (JAM): Russell, the two-time Commonwealth Games champion and Olympic fourth-place finisher, enters this race with a season best time of 55.41secs and she too will be looking to improve on that time at the Bislett Games.
   
5. Anna Hall (USA): Hall, the world heptathlon bronze medalist in Oregon last summer, has been pretty active this season across almost all events, and the American heads into this new-fear clash looking to improve on her season and personal best of 54.42secs.

Bislett Games Predictions

Femke Bol is the clear favorite to win the race, given her impressive track record and current world-leading time. Her closest competitor should be the Jamaicans Janieve Russell and Rushell Clayton, while Anna Ryzhykova will be looking to come close to her best form in this race. Pay close attention as well to Anna Hall and Gianna Woodruff of Panama.

Femke Bol has been working on a new 14-step approach, and she hopes to continue implementing it throughout the season.

“The goal for this season is to continue trying the 14 steps rhythm, to be a bit more aggressive at the first 200m and to keep the pace at the last 50m,” she said at the meeting press conference on Wednesday.

“I think the biggest difference is the 14 steps in training, so one step less between the hurdles. It is just nice to see that the training actually worked indoors.

“It is hard and it is a bit different because I am a tall athlete, I have long legs, but you have to learn how to do it and, also with the second leg, how to switch the legs. But I like the challenge.”

Bislett Games Women’s 400m Hurdles Final Verdict

The women’s 400m hurdles at the Oslo Diamond League Meeting on June 15th, 2023, is shaping up to be an exciting race. With Femke Bol leading the pack, the other athletes will be looking to use her to pull them to respective fast times and podium spots.