The Netherlands, a nation steadily rising in track relays over the past few seasons, was absent from the spotlight and notably, so was their star athlete, Femke Bol.
The World Relays in Guangzhou delivered everything track and field fans could ask for, drama, surprises, and electrifying performances. South Africa surged to a stunning men’s 4x100m title, Canada made history in the mixed 4x100m, and Japan proved their mettle in the qualifiers. Traditional giants like USA and Jamaica dazzled, albeit with some inconsistencies, while emerging forces such as Kenya, Belgium, and Australia threw down bold statements.
But amid all the action, something felt incomplete. A missing name. A missing presence. A notable silence.
Justin Gatlin Noticed, and So Did Track Fans
Track legend Justin Gatlin didn’t shy away from addressing the Dutch void on his Ready Set Go Podcast.
“We have events dominated by Jamaica, the USA, and Great Britain,” Gatlin noted. “Now South Africa, Kenya, Japan are stepping up… but where’s the Netherlands?”
His co-host Rodney Green echoed the thought: “They have a really strong team.”
They weren’t wrong. The Netherlands’ women’s 4x400m team, led by Femke, clinched silver at the Paris Olympics, finishing just behind the USA with a blistering 3:19.50. Bol also anchored the gold-winning mixed 4x400m relay, joining Lieke Klaver, Ramsey Angela, and Tony van Diepen.
So where was this force in Guangzhou? The mystery deepened.
A Strategic Season Reset
The answer lies in Bol’s carefully mapped-out 2025 campaign. Back in January, she made a candid announcement via Instagram:
“After the last Olympic cycle with years full of amazing competitions indoors and outdoors, we’ve decided to do it a bit differently this year. I’m training hard and preparing myself for another successful year on the track, but I also feel that I need a bit more time away from competing. Therefore, I have decided not to race individually this indoor season.”
It was a move prioritizing longevity over immediacy. The decision raised eyebrows initially, especially as the indoor season came and went without Bol and the Dutch relay squad also sat out the World Indoors. Gatlin speculated whether it was a temporary hiatus, but the World Relays confirmed it: Bol was staying off the circuit, for now.
The Calm Before the Storm: Rabat Season Opener
That’s about to change. Just days ago, Femke set the athletics world abuzz by confirming her season debut at the Rabat Diamond League on May 25.
“Three more weeks. Season opener in Rabat this year!” she teased on her Instagram story, and instantly, fans circled the date.
The Diamond League organizers wasted no time hyping the return of one of track’s brightest stars:
“@femke_bol — World Champion in Budapest, silver in Eugene, double Olympic bronze in Tokyo and Paris, world indoor record holder over 400m, and four-time Diamond League Champion — is set to put on a show.”
And history suggests she will.
Since her meteoric rise in 2020, Bol has dominated the 400m hurdles, winning 25 Diamond League races and setting a world indoor record in the 400m flat. In 2025, she’s gunning for even more, a title defense at the World Championships in Tokyo this September, a fifth consecutive Diamond League crown, and perhaps even new records in her signature event.
Why the Absence Made Sense
Bol’s decision to skip the indoor season and World Relays was not a retreat but a reset. With a packed outdoor calendar, including high-stakes Diamond League meets and the looming World Championships, preserving peak form and avoiding burnout is crucial.
Relay events, though thrilling, carry the risk of injury and fatigue. For an athlete of Bol’s caliber, whose primary focus is individual glory in the 400m hurdles and strategic relay appearances, timing is everything.
By opting out of Guangzhou, Femke ensured she enters the outdoor season fresh, injury-free, and fully focused on her bigger goals, a strategy seasoned athletes like Allyson Felix and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone have employed in the past.
The Stage Is Set
In just a few days, the world will watch as Femke Bol returns to the track in Rabat.
The missing Dutch page in Guangzhou’s script will be replaced with new chapters, ones that could rewrite the record books and reaffirm Bol’s place among track and field’s greats.
And if history is any guide, it’ll be worth the wait.
