'She's the very best ever' - Femke Bol acknowledges Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's GREATNESS and impact as a versatile athlete

Dutch hurdling queen Femke Bol has acknowledged Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's greatness in track and field history and her impact in the sport as a versatile athlete.

The two-time world 400mH champion and indoor 400m world record holder, who has formed a healthy rivalry with the American in the past four years, had great things to say about her unbeatable rival and how she continues to be an inspiration to most athletes with her versatility.

"It's always unique to compete against her. I love it, even though there's a very good chance I'll finish second. She's the very best ever in the event I do, so it remains special," said Bol about the world record holder in an interview with NOS.

Despite Bol's admiration for McLaughlin-Levrone, she admitted her disappointment at not racing her at next month’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

"Maybe it's a bit of a disappointment. It's a shame," she said. "As a track and field enthusiast, I think it's great that she's going to do the 400. But as an athlete, I'd love to run against her; that just hasn't happened very often."

Bol's admission was regarding McLaughlin-Levrone's decision to only run the 400m flat in Tokyo, an event the American has flourished so far, by nearly breaking the national record when winning the 400m at the 2025 USA Track & Field Championships on Saturday (August 2) and booking her spot at the World Championships.

As a result, there will be no showdown with Bol in Tokyo, a year on from their 400m hurdles meeting at Paris 2024 where McLaughlin-Levrone defended her Olympic title in world-record time.

With the duo confirmed to run different events at the World Championships, Bol now stands as the favourite to win her second consecutive world title, but will face a fierce competitor in veteran American Dalilah Muhammad, who would be aiming to end her remarkable career with another title win.

While McLaughlin-Levrone will have to produce her career best performance if she's to win the 400m world title against Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino and silver medallist Salwa Eid Naser.