Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone didn’t ease into the 2025 season she burst onto the scene. With a stunning 52.07 in the 400m hurdles and a blazing 49.69 in the flat 400 by early May, the American made her intentions clear: she’s out to dominate. These weren’t just fast times they set the bar for the rest of the season.
Noticeably absent in those early headlines? Femke Bol. While Sydney was electrifying crowds, Bol remained under the radar, opting for relay events and silence instead of solo showstoppers. But when she finally toed the line in Rabat, she made a statement of her own. Running her first individual race since September, the Dutch star clocked a commanding 52.46 in the 400m hurdles the second-best time in the world this year, behind only McLaughlin-Levrone.
Bol’s performance wasn’t just a strong return. It was a declaration: she’s back, and she means business. Just days before her home meet at the FBK Games, she added fuel to the fire with a simple Instagram tease: “See you Monday 😍.” Set for June 9 at the historic FBK Stadium in Hengelo, the event promises a showcase, with the main program starting at 17:00.
Bol is ready to light up the home crowd and she’s coming in hot. At the Rabat Diamond League, she shattered the meet record with her 52.46, marking her return to individual racing after helping the Netherlands win gold in the mixed 4x400m relay. Reflecting on her time away, Bol told Citius MAG that she found peace in her decision to step back. “I actually enjoyed watching it,” she said, referencing her teammate Lika’s 400m win. “I enjoyed the tough trainings. I enjoyed not having the stress I usually put on myself so no, not really,” she said when asked if she missed racing.
Her decision to skip individual events during the indoor season surprised many, especially given her history of dominance. In 2022, she earned two silvers at the World Indoors, followed by a gold and silver in 2024. But in 2025, she pressed pause.
Now, all eyes turn to Tokyo. The showdown between Bol and McLaughlin-Levrone is brewing, likely to climax at the 2025 World Championships. Their last meeting at the 2024 Paris Olympics was unforgettable Sydney crushed her own world record with a jaw-dropping 50.37. Bol, who led most of that race, settled for bronze behind a surging Anna Cockrell (51.87 PB).
Still, Bol remains the European record holder (50.95) and the only woman besides Sydney to dip under 51 seconds in the event. What’s fueling the intrigue in 2025 is how both stars are approaching the season. Bol is back on a winning spree in the 400m hurdles, chasing her fifth consecutive Diamond League title. Sydney, meanwhile, is experimenting after dominant early races, she’s now trying out the 100m hurdles, with a debut set for the Grand Slam Track meet in Philadelphia.
Most believe it’s only a matter of time before McLaughlin-Levrone returns to her signature event. And if the two cross paths again whether at a Diamond League or Grand Slam stop it’ll be must-watch. For Bol, this season isn’t just about redemption. It’s about defining her legacy, chasing another global medal, and maybe even rewriting history.
With every race, the rivalry intensifies. The fire’s not fading it’s catching.
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