American sprint icon Justin Gatlin has disclosed his pick to challenge Femke Bol in the upcoming season.
American sprint icon and former world champion Justin Gatlin has tipped Dutch sprinter Lieke Klaver to challenge her compatriot Femke Bol in the upcoming athletics season.
According to the former 100m world record holder, Klaver is poised to step out of Bol’s shadow and assert herself as a formidable force in the 400m event.
Klaver recently set a world-leading time of 50.76 seconds over 400m at the Liévin leg of the World Indoor Tour 2025.
American sprint icon Justin Gatlin has made a bold prediction regarding Olympic champion Masai Russell after her exciting match-up with a rival at the New Balance Grand Prix.
This performance has fueled speculation that she may pose a serious challenge to Bol, who has long dominated the event.
Bol holds the world record for the 400m short track with a blistering 49.17-second run set on March 2, 2024.
Gatlin shared his thoughts on Klaver’s potential in a recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast.
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Dutch champion Femke Bol has made a surprising decision to scale back her indoor season prioritizing personal time while still competing at the European Championships.
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“I’m so proud of Klaver, man. I mean, first of all, she emerged around the same time as Femke Bol, and Bol has done amazing things not only in her country but globally,” noted Gatlin
“That’s a long shadow being cast. But Klaver is starting to make her own ground, her own name, and her own footing. She’s not just a relay runner—she’s a bona fide 400-meter threat. No matter what race she enters, you have to watch out for her because she’s constantly making gains,” he added.
According to the Olympic gold medalist, Klaver’s trajectory suggests she is going to explode this season and challenge her Dutch compatriot.
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American promising 400m star Talitha Diggs has explained how Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s 400mH rival Femke Bol subjected her to the harsh realities of competing at the highest level.
“From last year to this year and even before that, you could see her success building up. She’s moving towards the top, and she’s going to be the top dog you have to face,” he noted.
“I think this championship might be her championship. She might come out and say, ‘Hey, this is mine for the taking.’ Move that shadow over just a little—I need my space because this 400m is about to get real hot. I might have to bring some hardware back to the Netherlands and put it on my chest.”
Gatlin’s endorsement highlights Klaver’s steady progression and increasing competitiveness on the global stage.
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Who will come out on top in 2025? This article explores the top track and field rivalries set to dominate the season.
While Bol remains the dominant force in the event, Klaver’s recent performances suggest that an intense rivalry could be brewing.
With the 2025 season promising high-stakes competition, all eyes will be on Klaver as she seeks to carve out her own legacy in the sport.
