On June 24, 2025, the historic Ostrava Golden Spike meeting will play host to a long-awaited clash between two of the sport’s most formidable talents, Femke Bol and Salwa Eid Naser.
Since its inception in 1961, the Ostrava Golden Spike has delivered countless unforgettable moments, but this upcoming 400m showdown feels different. For the very first time, two of the event’s modern-day queens will meet head-to-head in the individual 400m, and the anticipation is palpable.
Salwa Eid Naser, the Nigerian-born Bahraini sprinter, shocked the athletics world in 2019 when she clocked an astonishing 48.14 seconds to win the World Championship title, a time that still stands as the third-fastest in history. After securing a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games and dipping under 49 seconds again at the Felix Sanchez Classic this March, Naser has proven she remains a dominant force in the one-lap sprint.
Facing her will be the indomitable Femke Bol. The Dutch star has earned a reputation as one of the most versatile and technically gifted sprinters of her generation. A 2023 World Champion in the 400m hurdles and the 2024 World Indoor 400m champion, Bol has consistently demonstrated her brilliance across disciplines. Her stunning 49.17-second 400m flat victory at the 2024 Diamond League final in Brussels confirmed she’s just as dangerous without the hurdles.
This will mark their first-ever 400m face-off, and it’s happening on neutral ground in Ostrava, adding yet another layer of intrigue to the clash.
Fans Can’t Contain Their Excitement
The athletics community erupted when news of this match-up broke. Social media timelines overflowed with excitement as fans finally got the contest they’ve long yearned for.
“This is gonna be good!” one fan posted moments after the announcement.
“Bol’s opening outdoor 400m though, whereas Naser is well raced already. So no huge expectations om Femke, I think it should be more about her putting together a decent race.” Another tweet read:
Predictions have been flying fast and furious. Many expect both women to dip well under the 50-second barrier, with optimistic whispers of potential sub-48.50 times.
“What time do you think? (Femke)” one fan predicted.
Femke Bol’s technical mastery and late-race strength against Naser’s raw speed and aggressive front-running style promise a fascinating tactical battle. And with both athletes holding World and Olympic medals, the stakes have never been higher.
