Broeders-Bol: “This feels like a home run”

Home for Femke Broeders-Bol is the Netherlands… but also Belgium. “Yes, Belgium feels like home too, and the Allianz Memorial Van Damme feels like a home run. Brussels isn’t that far from Leuven, where Ben (her Belgian husband, pole vaulter Ben Broeders) grew up. There’ll be loads of supporters cheering me on in the stands on Saturday,” says Broeders-Bol.

Over the past five years, Broeders-Bol has dominated the 400-metre hurdles in the Wanda Diamond League, with five consecutive victories. This year, she made the switch to the 800 metres. “I never expected to be this fast straight away in my first season. At first, I underestimated myself. I literally had to overcome barriers in the 400-metre hurdles, but in the 800 metres I had to overcome mental barriers. Since then, I’ve learnt not to overthink things. Trust the process.”

What else could be improved in the ‘process’ of making Femke Broeders-Bol an even better 800-metre runner? “Everything, apart from my speed,” laughs the Dutch athlete. “I can certainly make a lot of progress in the coming years, particularly in terms of technique. Switching to the 800 metres meant stepping out of my comfort zone, but I’m now realising what a fantastic discipline this is. It’s much more about ‘racing’ against opponents – more competition, more fun.”