World-record dominance: McLaughlin‑Levrone shattered the 400m hurdles world record four times across 2021–24, culminating in a staggering 50.37 s at the 2024 Paris Olympics .
Bol’s brilliance, second best: Femke Bol has clocked the second-fastest time of 2025 (52.46 s) at Rabat and posted another elite 52.51 s at the FBK Games but that still leaves a noticeable ~0.4‑second gap to Sydney’s seasonal lead.
Head-to-head Reality
Never beaten: In every major head‑to‑head the two have raced including Tokyo 2020, Eugene 2022, and Paris 2024 McLaughlin‑Levrone has outpaced Bol . That dominance spans from world titles to Olympic golds.
Margin of victory: In Paris, Sydney blitzed the field by 1.50 s, taking gold in 50.37 s, while Bol settled for bronze in 52.15 s . At the FBK Games, Bol’s win came at 52.51 s but still didn’t touch Sydney’s benchmark of 52.07 s .
The “Second Fiddle” Label
Spectacular, but overshadowed: Bol continues to break records indoor and European but Sydney’s dominance has kept her firmly in second place .
Rivalry fueled by contrast: Fans and experts adore Bol’s elegance and grit but when it comes down to raw performance, McLaughlin‑Levrone often sets the bar Bol must chase .
🎥 In Their Own Words
This highlight captures Sydney’s unblinking dominance and the reality of Bol once again playing catch‑up at the top.
Can Bol Ever Overtake?
Potential is clear: Bol is closing in her European record (50.95 s) makes her the second-fastest woman ever in the event .
But the timing hasn’t broken through: Sydney still breaks the most elite barriers (sub‑52 and sub‑51) regularly a level Bol is only beginning to approach .
In summary: Bol is an extraordinary athlete second fastest in history, European champ, and crowd favorite. Yet Sydney McLaughlin‑Levrone’s consistent world‑record performances and head‑to‑head victories leave Bol in the shadow of perfection. Until Bol closes that legendary gap, she’ll remain elite yet still playing second fiddle.
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