Latest news with #Bol
West Australian
8 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Bol returns to Elite Mile track that offered ‘stepping stone' for Olympic career
Veteran Olympic runner Peter Bol completed a triumphant return to Leonora at the weekend and claimed his second title during the Elite Male Mile — an event which helped launch his athletic career nine years earlier. Bol completed three laps of the Tower Street circuit in an impressive 4min. 6.43sec. to edge out Adam Goddard (4:6.80) and Matthew Ramsden (4:7.33) in a thrilling finish to this year's $65,000 Leonora Golden Gift program. The 31-year-old arrived in the northern Goldfields town with the fastest 800m time in Australian history, 1:43.79 set in Perth in April. A veteran of three Olympics (2016, 2021, 2024), Bol won his semifinal at the Paris Games in 2021 before running a close fourth in the final — missing out on a bronze medal by 0.53sec. In 2016, he became the first WA runner to claim victory in the lucrative Elite Male Mile at 22 years old. On Sunday, he described his first Leonora Golden Gift victory as a vital 'stepping stone' to his Olympic career. 'Nine years ago, this was my stepping stone to my first Olympic Games and I really needed that funding,' he told the Kalgoorlie Miner. 'It was through Leonora that I was able to get the funding and go chase my dreams at the Olympic Games in Europe. 'It's great to come back after nine years and then win again.' Resurfacing of the Tower Street circuit was completed last week, for which Bol said he was 'grateful'. 'I noticed it straight away,' he said. 'It made it pretty quick, I think that was one of the fastest miles on this course. 'That's not because we're fitter, but because of the surface here and the weather that kind of played to our advantage.' After his victory, Bol engaged with spectators and invited children to join him on a cool-down lap of the circuit. The star athlete was then reunited with a runner he once coached during a visit to Leonora more than a decade ago. 'Over 10 years ago I used to come out here and do clinics,' Bol said. 'One of the (spectators) . . . came up to me and said 'I met you about 10 years ago', and I was like, that's pretty incredible that he remembered. 'He introduced me to his family, and we got photos together. 'I love the community over here. I do believe everyone deserves a chance.' The Sudanese-born runner said he hoped to inspire the next generation. 'If you just kind of keep going and chasing your dreams, you'll get there,' he said. 'I come from Thornlie, and even back then I came from Sudan and Egypt. 'I've been able to make my life over here and (become) a three-time Olympian, Young Australian of the Year, so many accomplishments. 'That's all credit to the community, it's really important and we've got that here.' The Olympian said he hoped to return to the Goldfields town next year to engage with the community further. 'We'll have a chat, probably to the Shire of Leonora, to come out here a few days earlier and (engage) with the community, rather than just coming to run and go,' he said. Elite Mile winners pocketed $7500 in prize money and a one-ounce gold coin valued at more than $5000.
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Bol headlines crack men's field for Elite Mile at Leonora Golden Gift
A three-pronged WA attack of Matthew Ramsden, Luke Shaw and Jack Wilson will each be vying to upstage race favourite Peter Bol in Sunday's Men's Elite Mile, as part of this weekend's $65,000 Leonora Golden Gift program. Bol, 31, arrives in the northern Goldfields with the fastest 800m time in Australian history, 1.43.79 seconds, set in Perth in April. A veteran of three Olympics (2016, 2021, 2024), Bol won his semifinal at the Paris Games in 2021 before running a close fourth in the final — missing out on a bronze medal by 0.53 seconds. Ramsden, 27, is a nine-time member of the national athletics team who won the 1500m gold medal six years ago at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Townsville. With an 800m personal-best of 1.47.27 seconds, Shaw, 23, is considered a dark horse while Wilson, at just 19 years of age, is a world under-20 800m finalist. All four, however, face seasoned competition from eight-time New Zealand 800m champion Brad Mathas. Among the Women's Elite Mile field, NSW's Georgia Winkcup joins other top fancies, Queenslander Brielle Erbacher, ACT's Zoe Melhuish and Victorian Stephanie Kelly. Each Elite Mile final carries $25,500 in prize money. The men's event includes three heats on Saturday with the first two in each, plus the next two fastest, qualifying for Sunday's eight-man final. Among the women, two heats will be raced with the top three in each, plus the next two fastest, progressing.
France 24
25-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Bol makes sparkling Diamond League return as Tebogo struggles
Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo, who had planned to run both sprints, trailed in last in the men's 100m and did not compete in the 200m, although a second Botswanan Tshepiso Masalela had a better night, delivering another impressive victory in the men's 800m. Bol had not competed in an individual race since September, running only in the relays in the European Indoor Championship. On Sunday, the Dutchwoman ran 52.46sec, the second-fastest time in the world this year behind American Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Bol finished 1.44sec ahead of runner-up Andrenette Knight from Jamaica. "It's a great start I had a good execution," said Bol, who has never lost a Diamond League 400m hurdles, a 25-race streak going back to 2020. "I felt good in training, but it feels good to be back competing after so long." In the men's 100m, South African Akani Simbine continued his unbeaten start to the season by winning in 9.95sec. Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala was second in 10.05sec, with American Fred Kerley a further 0.02sec back in third. Tebogo eased off towards the end of the race to finish ninth and last in 10.43. Tebogo won the 200m in Doha last week but sat out the race on Sunday, won by American Courtney Lindsey in 20.04sec. The bang-bang schedule of a Diamond League meet means it is unusual for runners to double up, but, while Tebogo abandoned plans to run both sprints, Kerley did go again and collected another third place. On the women's side, Jamaica's Shericka Jackson, twice 200m world champion, claimed her first victory of the season in the 100m, crossing the line in 11.04sec despite a poor start. In the inaugural event at the Rabat stadium, rebuilt ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament, Beatrice Chebet set an African record in the little-run 3000m metres. Kenya's Chebet, Olympic champion at 5000m and 10,000m and multiple world record holder, finished in 8min 11.56sec, the second fastest time ever. The world record of 8:06.11 was set by Chinese runner Wang Junxia in 1993. "My target was to run sub 8:20," said a delighted Chebet. "I see I can do more. The world record I see as possible." Italian Nadia Battocletti was almost 15 seconds back in second. Masalela won the men's 800m in 1:42.70 after winning the same event in the Doha Diamond League meet last week. Moroccan double Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali ended the evening by giving the home fans a surprisingly close-run victory, holding off a late challenge from German Frederik Ruppert to win the men's 3000m steeplechase in 8:00.70. © 2025 AFP
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Bol makes sparkling Diamond League return as Tebogo struggles
Femke Bol, a triple medallist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, opened her 2025 individual season by cruising to victory in the 400m hurdles at the Diamond League meeting on Sunday in Rabat. Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo, who had planned to run both sprints, trailed in last in the men's 100m and did not compete in the 200m, although a second Botswanan Tshepiso Masalela had a better night, delivering another impressive victory in the men's 800m. Bol had not competed in an individual race since September, running only in the relays in the European Indoor Championship. On Sunday, the Dutchwoman ran 52.46sec, the second-fastest time in the world this year behind American Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Bol finished 1.44sec ahead of runner-up Andrenette Knight from Jamaica. "It's a great start I had a good execution," said Bol, who has never lost a Diamond League 400m hurdles, a 25-race streak going back to 2020. "I felt good in training, but it feels good to be back competing after so long." In the men's 100m, South African Akani Simbine continued his unbeaten start to the season by winning in 9.95sec. Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala was second in 10.05sec, with American Fred Kerley a further 0.02sec back in third. Tebogo eased off towards the end of the race to finish ninth and last in 10.43. Tebogo won the 200m in Doha last week but sat out the race on Sunday, won by American Courtney Lindsey in 20.04sec. The bang-bang schedule of a Diamond League meet means it is unusual for runners to double up, but, while Tebogo abandoned plans to run both sprints, Kerley did go again and collected another third place. On the women's side, Jamaica's Shericka Jackson, twice 200m world champion, claimed her first victory of the season in the 100m, crossing the line in 11.04sec despite a poor start. In the inaugural event at the Rabat stadium, rebuilt ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament, Beatrice Chebet set an African record in the little-run 3000m metres. Kenya's Chebet, Olympic champion at 5000m and 10,000m and multiple world record holder, finished in 8min 11.56sec, the second fastest time ever. The world record of 8:06.11 was set by Chinese runner Wang Junxia in 1993. "My target was to run sub 8:20," said a delighted Chebet. "I see I can do more. The world record I see as possible." Italian Nadia Battocletti was almost 15 seconds back in second. Masalela won the men's 800m in 1:42.70 after winning the same event in the Doha Diamond League meet last week. Moroccan double Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali ended the evening by giving the home fans a surprisingly close-run victory, holding off a late challenge from German Frederik Ruppert to win the men's 3000m steeplechase in 8:00.70. pb/nf
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Mums are going all out when it comes to packing their hospital bag for birth
A new study has found that mums are increasingly going glam with their hospital bags - packing luxury pyjamas, cashmere socks, and pillow mists to get them through their labour Modern mums are stepping up their game when it comes to packing their hospital bags for childbirth, with luxury pyjamas, cashmere socks, and pillow mists making the cut. A survey of 1,000 women who've given birth in the past five years, along with 100 expectant mothers, revealed they've splashed out an average of £120 to create the perfect birthing suite ambiance. The contemporary maternity bag essentials now include Bluetooth speakers for a personalised birth playlist, a phone tripod for the inaugural family Instagram photo, and even under-eye masks. With an average of 12 meticulously selected items packed, some mums have gone as far as bringing in aromatherapy diffusers to maintain tranquillity during contractions. Bola Sol, a savings expert at Rakuten, which commissioned the study and has launched a limited time cashback offer of 10% for existing members and 20% for new customers at high-street retailer Boots, commented: "The findings reflect how important it is for many women to feel calm, in control and comfortable when giving birth." "Whether it's a soothing playlist, a favourite pair of pyjamas or a spritz of pillow mist, these thoughtful touches can help boost confidence and reduce stress – which is good for both mum and baby." The research also highlighted that mums invest significant time planning their bags – with 33% contemplating what to pack months in advance, and 28% starting to shop for items well ahead of time. Affordability plays a crucial role in deciding what goes into these hospital bags. Almost half actively compare prices, and a third make sure they use cashback to stretch their budgets further. Almost two out of five mums set themselves a budget for their bag. However, a third confessed to exceeding their budget in their quest to feel prepared for their hospital stay. Comfort (73%) and practicality (52%) topped the list of priorities, but for 24%, including a few luxury or self-care items was crucial. Over half (54%) sought advice from friends on what to pack, while 49% admitted being swayed by social media content. According to a study by OnePoll, 29% now view a high-end hospital bag as an integral part of their birthing experience. Bol added: "Mums today are balancing self-care with smart shopping. They're using cashback and tools to get the best value, while still making space for a little indulgence. "These bags are about more than comfort – they're about confidence, preparation and making the birth experience feel more personal."
