NOS Sport••Amended
Femke Bol will be hunting for the extension of her European indoor title in the 400 meters on Saturday evening in Istanbul. The world record holder ran a very strong semi-final on Friday evening. Bol won in 52.19 seconds. She didn’t have to give her all to keep her competitors behind.
Lieke Klaver also made an impression. Bol’s closest competitor triumphed in her race in 51.43 seconds. So far, Klaver has only won medals in relay races at international title tournaments. In Istanbul she will go for an individual medal.
Bol was satisfied with her performance. She had managed to conserve energy. “I want to be in the lead after 200 meters. At 150 meters I felt it was good. From that point I was able to consolidate. It was important to save as much energy as possible. weeks ago at the NK indoor to an astonishing world record (49.26).
‘Good shape’
Whether such a stunt is also in it on Saturday evening, she did not dare to say on Friday. “You can be in good shape, but you also have to run a good race”, Bol looked ahead. “I feel good and I assume that my coaches know exactly how to peak on Saturday.”
Klaver seems to be her biggest competitor on Saturday. At the NK, where she was beaten by an unchained Bol, she also ran an excellent time: 50.34. “I ran two races today. After 24 hours of rest, I should be able to run better tomorrow,” said the number four of the 400 meters at the outdoor World Cup last year.
Bonevacia and Boers eliminated
Liemarvin Bonevacia and Isayah Boers are missing in the final of the 400 meters on Saturday evening. The two were eliminated in the semifinals in Istanbul.
National record holder Bonevacia (33) finished fifth in his semifinal in 46.60. The national record holder (45.48) won bronze two years ago.
Boers, who trumped Bonevacia in the final of the NK indoor two weeks ago, fared even less in his race. Starting in the tricky lane one, he got no further than sixth and last place in 47.39.
