THOUGH SHE WON the ’19 title, the DL Final has not really been Sydney McLaughlin’s thing in recent years, particularly in her specialty, the 400H. Instead, that has been Femke Bol territory, and the Dutchwoman had won every post-pandemic title. To do so again, she would have to beat Anna Cockrell, who had earned the Paris silver ahead of her.
Cockrell, though she had just a 1–5 career record against Bol, threw everything at her, grabbing the lead before the first hurdle and holding it for most of the backstretch before Bol finally caught the USC alum. Shamier Little had also gone out hard and at halfway the three shared the lead. Before the end of the final turn, the only question was by how much Bol would win.
At the final hurdle she had a 2-stride lead. Cockrell struggled to hold onto 2nd as Little faded and Jamaica’s Shiann Salmon came on hard. At the line, Bol had nearly an 8-meter lead with her 52.45. Cockrell took 2nd in 53.71 ahead of Salmon’s 53.99, with Little next at 55.26.
“It was really fun tonight,” said Bol. “It was a little cold to run, but with the atmosphere in the stadium I forgot all about that. I really enjoyed my race and to be able to win my fourth Diamond League trophy is just amazing. Last week I was a little bit ill. I wasn’t sure if I would compete in Brussels, because it was a really long season and it was a sign of my body that I needed some rest. However, running in Brussels feels like running in front of my home crowd and I didn’t want to miss that.”
Results
1. Femke Bol (Neth) 52.45; 2. Anna Cockrell (US) 53.71; 3. Shiann Salmon (Jam) 53.99; 4. Shamier Little (US) 55.26; 5. Ayomide Folorunso (Ita) 55.37; 6. Paulien Couckuyt (Bel) 55.66; 7. Janieve Russell (Jam) 55.94; 8. Andrenette Knight (Jam) 56.70.
