Femke Bol to make highly anticipated 800m debut at Athlélor 2026 in Metz

In a major coup for the 18th edition of the Athlélor meet, Dutch hurdling queen Femke Bol will run her first 800m race of her career in Metz on Sunday, February 8.

"We will have a major world premiere in Metz on February 8," Dominique Abisse, president of Athlétisme Metz Métropole announced. "Three months ago, Femke Bol decided to transition from the 400m hurdles to the 800m. Well, she will run her very first 800m in Metz."

The decision is significant for the track star, who is very familiar with the Metz track, where she will be competing for the sixth time.

"She chose a place that reassures her, where she is on familiar and appreciated ground," explained the president. "For us, this is a very important sign of respect, friendship, and recognition." Bol could have opted to race a week earlier in Boston, a symbolic city as it is home to her sponsor, New Balance.

With the athletics world buzzing for months about her much-anticipated transition, Metz will now be the stage for this historic debut.

"For the last three months, it's all anyone has been talking about: what will she do in the 800m, and when will she start?" Abisse noted. "I don't have the answer to what she will do, but I am thrilled to announce that she will run her first 800m in Metz. That alone is worth the price of admission."

Bol is the reigning world 400m Hurdles champion, multiple Olympic medallist, European record holder, and Olympic champion in the 4x400m mixed relay.

She chose to transition from her trademark event to the 800m, after successfully defending her 400mH title at the World Championships in Tokyo last summer.