Femke Boll leads the Dutch relay team to the gold medal in the 4×400 meters indoor world championships and bronze for the men | Other sports

Paul won gold in the individual 400 meters on Saturday evening, setting a world record of 49.17 seconds. Coach Laurent Meuwly decided not to give her any rest for the semi-finals for fear of not achieving a place in the finals without her. Leke Claver was given some rest in the final, as she was allowed to start.

Claver has already gained a lead of nearly six meters over second runner-up Kathleen Peters, who was chased by Jamaica and Great Britain. Lisanne de Witte was also allowed to start from the front, but there were three riders immediately following her.

She impressively defended the lead and extended it slightly before passing the baton to Femke Bol. The world champion slowly built the pace with smooth, long strides. Alexis Holmes joined well for the United States, but was unable to get past Paul. Holmes crossed the line 27 hundredths behind Amersfoort. Bronze went to the United Kingdom.

“Behind me was the same person as in Budapest,” Paul said. number. She referred to the race she participated in last August at the World Mixed Relay Championships. Then he crashed on the final straight. “I learned from my mistakes. I don't have to run away like crazy if I don't have to. I went to win, and that's the most important thing.”

The team won the silver medal at the World Indoor Championships held in Belgrade two years ago. Last summer, Paul, Klaver, Evelin Sahlberg and Peters won the world title in the 4x400m outdoor event in Budapest. This resulted in the athletes earning election to the Sports Team of the Year.

The Dutch relay men took the bronze medal earlier in the evening. In the final, defending champion Belgium was faster than the United States. The Netherlands set a time of 3:04.25.

Terrence Agard and Liemarvin Bonevacia were saved from the semi-finals, so they could run well rested into the final battle. This turned out to be effective. Bonevacia started well from lane 6, but saw the Americans come in quickly. On third down he passed the baton to Angela Ramsey.

Terrence Aagaard then chased Belgium and the United States from third place. Surprisingly, runner Noah Lyles participated in the latter. Tony van Diepen, the strongest man in the semi-finals, had the task of defending the bronze medal as the last runner, because the gap to the leader was too great. Belgium edged the United States in the final straight.

The relay men also won the bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships held in Belgrade two years ago. Van Diepen was also part of the team at the time.

“It's very special,” Agard said afterward. number. “This is a good start towards the Games. We will be aiming for a medal anyway and you should not rule us out of winning silver. They are at the level,” Angela added. “If that is rewarded with a medal, that is definitely good.”