De wereldkampioene op de 400 meter horden ziet nog voldoende verbeterpunten om in augustus een gooi naar olympisch goud te doen. "Ik wil er alles aan gedaan hebben om te kunnen winnen."
"When I'm at the start at the Olympic Games, I have to be there with the feeling that I can win.
"Because no matter how good McLaughlin is, that's the only way I can win. If I don't know at the start whether I can beat her, then the chance that I win is also small. This is the moment to go out of my comfort zone. I want to have done everything I can to be able to win. And if she is better, then she is simply better. Then I am also very happy with my second place."
"When I'm at the start at the Olympic Games, I have to be there with the feeling that I can win.
"Because no matter how good McLaughlin is, that's the only way I can win. If I don't know at the start whether I can beat her, then the chance that I win is also small. This is the moment to go out of my comfort zone. I want to have done everything I can to be able to win. And if she is better, then she is simply better. Then I am also very happy with my second place."
So smug, arroganf... she thinks she will either beat Syd or get second place... thinks other runners are pure trash... wow
That quote was from the middle of winter training camp in January. It's when the Dutch team goes to South Africa to escape poor weather back home. It's the first outdoor work of the season. Last year it's where Bol began the switch from 15 steps to 14 steps. This year it meant building on that change with necessary tinkering here and there.
Only a fool would believe it meant anything other than that. I knew to look for that article in January because the Dutch press always sends a reporter and film crew to that camp for a few offseason angles.
"When I'm at the start at the Olympic Games, I have to be there with the feeling that I can win.
"Because no matter how good McLaughlin is, that's the only way I can win. If I don't know at the start whether I can beat her, then the chance that I win is also small. This is the moment to go out of my comfort zone. I want to have done everything I can to be able to win. And if she is better, then she is simply better. Then I am also very happy with my second place."
So smug, arroganf... she thinks she will either beat Syd or get second place... thinks other runners are pure trash... wow
"When I'm at the start at the Olympic Games, I have to be there with the feeling that I can win.
"Because no matter how good McLaughlin is, that's the only way I can win. If I don't know at the start whether I can beat her, then the chance that I win is also small. This is the moment to go out of my comfort zone. I want to have done everything I can to be able to win. And if she is better, then she is simply better. Then I am also very happy with my second place."
So smug, arroganf... she thinks she will either beat Syd or get second place... thinks other runners are pure trash... wow
At that level, pros should think they are unbeatable even if it appears to be "smug" or "arrogant". Nothing wrong with this.
Sydney is definitely takeable by Bol. The best times of Sysdney were recorded in Eugene which is know to be a fast track.
50.65 Sydney MCLAUGHLIN Hayward Field, Eugene, OR (USA) 30 JUN 2024 50.68 Sydney MCLAUGHLIN Hayward Field, Eugene, OR (USA) 22 JUL 2022 51.41 Sydney MCLAUGHLIN Hayward Field, Eugene, OR (USA) 25 JUN 2022 51.45 Femke BOL Olympic Stadium, London (GBR) 23 JUL 2023 51.46 Sydney MCLAUGHLIN National Stadium, Tokyo (JPN) 04 AUG 2021 51.58 Dalilah MUHAMMAD National Stadium, Tokyo (JPN) 04 AUG 2021 1282 51.61 Sydney MCLAUGHLIN Vanderbilt Track, Nashville, TN (USA) 05 JUN 2022 51.68 Sydney MCLAUGHLINBregyó Athletic Center, Székesfehérvár (HUN) 08 AUG 2022 9 51.70 Femke BOLNemzeti Atlétikai Központ, Budapest (HUN) 24 AUG 2023 51.90 Sydney MCLAUGHLIN Hayward Field, Eugene, OR (USA) 27 JUN 2021
She dont have to be intimidated by Eugene Track times.
I would assume they both are already doing "whatever it takes" to win, along with everyone else that will make the finals, and ya'll know exactly what I mean.