22/08/2026
Femke Bol’s 800m experiment is beginning to look far more serious than anyone expected. After another impressive performance against Audrey Werro in Lausanne, the conversation around Bol has shifted. She is no longer simply an elite 400m hurdler testing herself over two laps.
Fans are now openly discussing whether she could eventually become one of the dominant forces in the women’s 800m, with some already backing her for Olympic gold in 2028. The prediction comes from the belief that Bol is still relatively new to the event, yet has improved throughout the season while bringing exceptional speed, commitment and a powerful finishing kick.
Lausanne only strengthened that belief. Werro managed to hold on, but Bol appeared increasingly dangerous as the race entered its final stages, reinforcing the idea that she may still be learning how to use her speed over two laps. Some observers believe the full version of Bol has not even appeared yet, particularly over the final 100 meters.
That is what makes her transition so fascinating. Bol already possesses something many 800m specialists spend years developing: extraordinary speed. If she can continue combining that speed with the endurance, positioning and tactical confidence required for the event, she could become a serious force. Werro, Keely Hodgkinson and Georgia Bell remain major threats, and the 800m landscape can change dramatically from one season to another.
New Kenyan and Ethiopian contenders could also emerge before Los Angeles 2028. But Bol’s rapid progression has already changed the conversation. What initially looked like an experiment is starting to look like a genuine second event.
And if her improvement continues, the idea of Femke Bol becoming an Olympic 800m champion in 2028 may not be as far-fetched as it once sounded.
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