Femke Bol smashes World Indoor 400m record in Apeldoorn

Dutch sensation Femke Bol etched her name in the history books once again on Sunday 18 February as she smashed another World Indoor 400m record, this time clocking 49.24 at the Dutch Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn.

The 23 year old, who had run a historic 49.26 just 12 months ago, cruised through 200m in the lead, and powered over the finish line, dipping under 50 seconds indoors for the sixth time of her career so far.

She was followed by Lieke Klaver, who set a PB of 50.10 - a time that moves her to ninth on the world indoor all-time list.

“I never get used to it, especially with all these people cheering on home soil,” Bol said in her trackside interview. “It’s a dream come true to run another world record and it’s wonderful to have all these Dutch fans enjoying the most beautiful sport in the world.”

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On her way to retaining her national title, Bol, who opened her season with 49.69 in Metz at the start of this month, before improving to 49.63 in Lievin, had eased to a heat win in 50.55 on Saturday, looking like she had plenty to give.

The world 400m hurdles champion will now head to the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24 on the hunt for her first world indoor title.

Her record winning time is however subject to the usual World Athletics ratification procedure.

Additional reporting by World Athletics.