Home for Femke Broeders-Bol is the Netherlands\u2026 but also Belgium. \u201cYes, Belgium feels like home too, and the Allianz Memorial Van Damme feels like a home run. Brussels isn\u2019t that far from Leuven, where Ben (her Belgian husband, pole vaulter Ben Broeders) grew up. There\u2019ll be loads of supporters cheering me on in the stands on Saturday,\u201d says Broeders-Bol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. \u201cI 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\u2019ve learnt not to overthink things. Trust the process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What else could be improved in the \u2018process\u2019 of making Femke Broeders-Bol an even better 800-metre runner? \u201cEverything, apart from my speed,\u201d laughs the Dutch athlete. \u201cI 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\u2019m now realising what a fantastic discipline this is. It\u2019s much more about \u2018racing\u2019 against opponents \u2013 more competition, more fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n