Femke Bol is back on the track for the 2025 outdoor season, set to make waves at the Rabat Diamond League. Known as the track’s ultimate “Golden Girl,” the Dutch 400m hurdles queen continues to captivate fans with her fierce speed and unstoppable spirit. But while all eyes are on her blistering times and flawless technique, there’s another star lighting up her world: Ben Broeders, her Belgian pole-vaulting partner and biggest fan. Let’s take a closer look at the man who’s been cheering her on every step of the way.

Meet Ben Broeders: Femke Bol’s Boyfriend

Ben Broeders isn’t just “Femke’s boyfriend”—he’s a world-class athlete in his own right. Born in Leuven, Belgium, this 29-year-old pole vaulter has been flipping gravity the bird since his teens. Standing at 5’10” with a grin that rivals his girlfriend’s, Broeders is the quiet force behind some of Femke’s most iconic post-race moments, like their viral flag-draped kiss after her 2022 European Championships triple gold.

Off the track, Ben’s all about low-key vibes. Think golf dates, Sicilian vacations, and Instagram stories gushing over Femke’s races with heart-eyed emojis. But don’t let the chill facade fool you—this guy’s a vaulting beast with a personal best of 5.85m and a fourth-place finish at the 2016 European Championships.

What is Ben Broeders’ Profession?

Ben’s day job? Defying physics. As a professional pole vaulter, he’s been soaring since his gymnastics days as a kid. Coached by Olympic champ Rens Blom and Swedish legend Helena Duplantis (mother of Mondo), Broeders snagged gold at the 2017 European U23 Championships and has been a Diamond League regular.

In 2025, he’s still chasing podiums. At February’s Meeting de l’Eure, he cleared 5.72m for second place, earning a sweet shoutout from Femke on Instagram. While he missed the Paris Olympics podium, his career highlights—like hitting the Olympic qualifying standard in 2024—prove he’s no sidekick.

How Did Femke Bol And Ben Broeders Meet?

Their love story is a COVID silver lining. The duo first crossed paths during the 2020 Diamond League season, when pandemic bubbles turned into matchmaking hubs. “We met during the Diamond League matches in corona time. We clicked right away,” Femke revealed in an interview.

First date? Golfing. “Not really my specialty, but it was a lot of fun,” Bol admitted, laughing about their awkward swings and shared laughs. Fast-forward to 2025, and they’re still stealing weekends between training camps—whether hiking in Sicily or cheering each other at meets.

Their secret? Mutual hustle. While Femke’s smashing hurdles, Ben’s grinding at the vault pits. “We try to be together every weekend,” Femke said, though she jokes that their schedules sometimes feel like “two ships passing in the night.”

Femke’s 2025 is stacked. After dominating Rabat, she’s gunning for a fifth Diamond League title in Stockholm on June 15 and eyeing the World Championships in Tokyo in September. Oh, and let’s not forget her quest to dethrone Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s 400m hurdles world record by clocking 50.37s—a feat she’s teased with her “perfectionist” training grind.

But here’s the kicker: Ben’s right there in the stands. Whether she’s anchoring relay chaos or flirting with sub-50-second magic, he’s the guy clapping loudest—proof that track’s ultimate power couple thrives on both sides of the finish line.

So next time you see Femke Bol blaze past a hurdle, remember: behind that golden smile is a pole-vaulting partner who’s got her back—and maybe a future training camp golf rematch.