Netherlands Shocks Team USA in Thrilling 4×400 Mixed Relay Showdown

SAINT-DENIS, France — Femke Bol of the Netherlands showcased her extraordinary talent on Saturday by securing a remarkable victory in the 4×400-meter mixed relay, clinching the Olympic gold medal for her team.

Overtaking three competitors in the final half-lap, Bol completed her segment in an impressive 47.93 seconds. This stellar performance brought the Netherlands across the finish line in 3 minutes, 7.43 seconds, narrowly surpassing the United States by .31 seconds.

This was not Bol’s first dramatic comeback in a relay event. Last year, she also secured gold for the Netherlands at the World Championships in the women’s 4×400 relay, despite a previous fall in the mixed relay.

The American team, which had set a world record at 3:07.41 just a day before, fielded the same members on Saturday. During the final exchanges, the U.S. was level with Belgium when Bryce Deadmon handed the baton to Kaylyn Brown. Nonetheless, Brown was unable to fend off Bol, who recorded the sixth-fastest time globally in the 400 meters this year.

Femke Bol’s remarkable run will surely be remembered in Olympic history. She is set to compete again on Sunday in the preliminary round of the women’s 400 hurdles, further showcasing her versatility and endurance.