November 2, 2024

Taylor Daily Press

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World Championships in Athletics |  The Fall and the Rise – Vimke Paul is the overwhelming world champion in the 400m hurdles

World Championships in Athletics | The Fall and the Rise – Vimke Paul is the overwhelming world champion in the 400m hurdles

Dutch world champions are few and far between in athletics. It appears there were no fewer than four on the opening day of the IAAF World Championships in Budapest, but things went wrong in the mixed relay. The gold medal has already been written down, and almost awarded, but Paul crashes just before the finish.

The line can be that thin. And the shock was great. What happened here? “My leg didn’t want it, I’m not a robot,” Paul stammered, supported by her teammates. She’s still not a robot, but she is a world champion. And in the 400m hurdles he was still pretty good. Under tremendous pressure, she stood up.

World Championships in Athletics | Femke Bol is having a great party as the new World Champion

Paul is the fourth world champion in athletics

And at any time! For the second time in her life, Paul ran under 52 seconds, this time in 51.70 seconds. This time it went well again on the last straight line, with every step she took away from her rivals. After passing the last hurdle, the great fun can really begin during the final metres.

The 23-year-old has already set world records, has already won Olympic bronze, has already won World Cup silver, even twice, but now Paul is in the running for gold. Once and for all he will be the world champion. In doing so, she won the Netherlands’ sixth gold medal at the World Championships in Athletics, spread over just three predecessors.

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World Championships in Athletics | “I’m so happy, it’s unbelievable” – the first words of Fimke Paul as world champion

Where are you looking?

The World Athletics Championships will be held in Budapest from Saturday 19 August to Sunday 27 August. You can follow the action live on Eurosport or broadcast ad-free via Discover+.