Femke Bol, Lieke Klaver and Liemarvin Bonevacia qualified for the final of the 400 meters at the European Athletics Championships in Munich on Tuesday. The Dutch were all among the two fastest in their heat.
The 22-year-old Bol was clearly the fastest in the last of three races in 50.60 seconds, fifth overall. The one year older Klaver came in second in the first heat and was a hundredth faster: 50.59. Only Natalia Kaczmarek (50.40) and Anna Kielbasinska (50.45) from Poland and the British Victoria Ohuruogu (50.50) were faster than Bol and Klaver.
Eveline Saalberg, the third Dutch woman to take action in the 400 meters, did not make it. She finished sixth in her heat in a time of 52.45. Only the two fastest of each race and the two best who fell outside of it secured the final battle.
Bol has opted for a heavy individual program at the European Championships. In addition to the 400 meters, she runs the 400 meters hurdles, the distance at which she took World Cup silver last month. She decided a week ago to take on the challenge of the double distance.
De Amersfoortse, who recently tightened the Dutch record in the 400 meters to 49.75, has the advantage that she was immediately qualified for the semi-finals and therefore did not have to run the series.
Lieke Klaver in action during her semifinal of the 400 meters.
Lieke Klaver in action during her semifinal of the 400 meters. Photo: Reuters
Bonevacia also convinces in Munich
Bonevacia ran convincingly in the men’s race, just like Bol and Klaver. The 33-year-old Dutchman was the fastest in his race (45.40) and overall only had to tolerate the British Matthew Hudson-Smith (44.98) and the Frenchman Thomas Jordier (45.37).
The finals of the 400 meters are scheduled for Wednesday evening. The men start at 9.43 pm, after which it is the turn of the women at 10.02 pm.
Liemarvin Bonevacia was the fastest in his heat.
Liemarvin Bonevacia was the fastest in his heat. Photo: EPA