In the world of track and field, few rivalries burn brighter than Femke Bol vs. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone — a clash of titans in the 400m hurdles, marked by medals, records, and unfinished business. And while no one knows exactly when these two will next line up against each other, all signs point to a potential showdown at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships later this year. Until then, the next chapter of Bol’s journey begins not in a grand championship stadium, but on a warm Sunday evening in Rabat, Morocco, where she opens her outdoor season in the 400m hurdles. But before that, a choice was made — a bold, calculated pause.

Femke Bol, known for her relentless racing calendar and yearly indoor dominance, stunned fans this winter. She chose not to compete individually in the indoor season for the first time in her career. The reigning world champion in the 400m hurdles had always been a winter warrior. In 2022, she brought home two silver medals from the World Indoor Championships in Serbia. In 2024, she did even better — gold and silver, cementing her status as the queen of short track. And yet, in 2025, she pressed pause.

“I’m training hard and preparing myself for another successful year on the track,” she wrote in a long Instagram post, “but I also felt that I needed a bit more time away from competing. Therefore, I have decided to not race individually this indoor season.” Meanwhile, she left a door open to relay duty at the European Indoors in Apeldoorn, and when the time came, she delivered. Gold in both the women’s and mixed 4x400m relays — a reminder that even when resting, Bol still rises. In the meantime, her rival, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, also sat out the indoor season — but hers was a more familiar silence. She hadn’t raced indoors since 2021, when she finished eighth in the 60m hurdles at the New Balance Grand Prix. Indoor tracks, it seems, have never been Sydney’s preferred battleground. And that’s where their paths begin to diverge.

Two months after Apeldoorn, Coach Anderson Emerole lit the spark again. On The Final Leg Track & Field podcast, he reflected on Bol’s decision to sit out. “This is the first year that she [Femke Bol] skipped out on an indoor season. Every single year of her career, she’s always run indoors, but I think due to this being a slightly longer season, she wanted to make sure she could lock down her training and get prepared to defend her gold medal at the world championships this year. Remember 2023, Femke Bol won the gold medal when Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone chose to focus on the 400, but unfortunately got injured that year.” He was, of course, talking about Tokyo — the 2025 World Athletics Championships, where Bol will return as defending champion in the 400m hurdles.

It was hers to claim in 2023, a year when Sydney pivoted to the flat 400m but never made it to the start line because of injury. Bol seized the moment and the gold. But Paris 2024 brought heartbreak. On the biggest stage of all, Bol was left chasing. Sydney returned. So did Anna Cockrell. And in a blazing final, it was Bol who fell short, beaten not just physically, but symbolically, as the crown momentarily slipped from her grip. Now? She’s regrouped, she’s recharged, and she’s ready!

On that matter, Anderson said, “She’s starting off her season outdoors in the 400-meter hurdles here in Rabat.” The field is no soft landing. Bol will face Andrenette Knight, Shiann Salmon, and Rushell Clayton — a trio of fierce Jamaican contenders hungry to carve their own path to Tokyo. But for Bol, it’s more than just a season-opener. It’s a statement. She’s not hiding. She’s not hesitating. She’s building. Because when the lights shine brightest in Tokyo later this year, Bol knows what awaits: Sydney, Anna, Redemption, and how good are her records against them? 

The clash between Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Anna Cockrell, and Femke Bol 

According to track coach Anderson Emerole, the Paris Olympics women’s 400m hurdles final had the makings of a dream podium: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Femke Bol, and Anna Cockrell — the expected 1-2-3 in some order. But when the dust settled inside Stade de France, the script took a twist.

Anna Cockrell, the underdog in that elite trio, ran the race of her life. With grit, rhythm, and perfect form over the final barriers, she edged past Femke Bol, keeping the Dutch star off the podium’s second step and claiming a silver of her own. It was a breakthrough — a statement. But also, statistically, an outlier. Because in their last nine head-to-head matchups, Cockrell has only beaten Bol once — in Paris. Every other time, Femke has had the upper hand.

That Olympic silver may have been Anna’s biggest moment, but for Femke, it was a rare stumble. And when it comes to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the rivalry looks even more lopsided — at least so far. In the women’s 400m hurdles, Femke Bol has yet to beat Sydney. Zero wins. Three losses. And none of those defeats came on low-key stages.

• Tokyo Olympics 2021 — Sydney set a world record and left Bol trailing in silver.
• 2022 World Athletics Championships — another world record, another dominant gold for Sydney.
• Paris Olympics 2024 — Sydney returned from injury and reclaimed her throne.

Three iconic moments, three gold medals, three times Bol watched from behind. But here’s the thing: Bol isn’t done. If anything, the fire burns brighter. Cockrell may have struck once. Sydney may still be unbeaten, but this season, Bol is recalibrated, rested, and ready. And the possible showdown in Tokyo 2025? That could be her redemption stage. Because for all the medals she’s won, there’s one title she’s yet to claim: Beating Sydney.