We doubt a nation has suffered a more cruel and heartbreaking day on the track as the Dutch experienced today at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
First off was the phenom Sifan Hassan - she achieved the unprecedented accolade of medalling in the 10,000m, 5,000m, and 1,500m metre races at the Tokyo Olympics - in the 10,000 metre final.
She lead down the home straight before Ethopia's Gudaf Tsegay caught up with her, and as the two were engaged in a sprint for gold, Hassan tripped and fell.
If that wasn't hard enough on her and her team, in the very next race, the 400x4 mixed relay, an almost identical scenario occurred.
European champion and Olympic bronze medallist Femke Bol was neck an neck with the USA, with the line and a gold medal in sight, but like Hassan before her she stumbled and fell.
The USA went onto win and break the world record.
Heartbreak For The Dutch At The World Athletics Championship
Sifan Hassan 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 just metres from the line! 😱
In the 10,000m final, the Olympic champion and overwhelming favourite 𝙜𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 and it's Gudaf Tsegay who takes the 🥇
Unbelievable drama in Budapest.#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/ImCegtrunh
— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 19, 2023
Twice in back to back races at the 2023 WAC, Dutch ladies in sight of the gold medal stumble. OMG Sport. First Sifan Hassan in the women's 10k,then Femke Bol in the Mixed 4-by-4 relay. pic.twitter.com/H3rlUZFVJB
— John SENTAMU (@JohnSENTAMU2) August 19, 2023
