Femke Bol cruised in the women’s 400m hurdles, and the final looks to be her and McLaughlin battling for gold and everyone else is fighting for the bronze, as Muhammad looks to be well back of those two. as an additional note, 22-year-old Viivi Lehikoinen, a former European u18 champion, set a Finnish national record (54.60) and only finished sixth in her heat!
in the women’s flat 400, i hope Lieke Klaver has some gas left in the tank after she sets a national record (Netherlands) in the semifinals. this final is stacked with a bunch of women within a fraction of one another, but most of them had to really work to qualify ... so who will have enough left to come out on top? in a bit of a surprise, no American qualified for the final, while the Caribbean is vastly over represented. i’m always confused how Poland is SO GOOD at the 400 relays (both men and women) yet rarely have individuals who are among the world elite. for instance, there’s only one Pole who qualified for this year’s women’s final and zero for the men’s.
in fact, nary a White athlete is to be seen in the men’s flat 400m final ... it’s my favorite race to watch; what a disappointment.