Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol begin women’s 400m hurdles battle at Paris 2024 by reaching semi-finals

Rushell Clayton will be out to prove she is not merely the best of the rest behind Bol and McLaughlin-Levrone, and the Jamaican was the first contender to take to the track on Sunday.

In the first of five heats, Clayton – bronze medallist in the worlds last year – crossed the line first in 54.32.

USA’s Jasmine Jones then won the second heat, outlining her podium potential with a 53.60, before Bol – fresh off the back of winning gold in the 4 x 400m relay – went out next to huge cheers at the Stade de France.

Bol had come flying back to win a thrilling gold for the Dutch on the final relay leg on Saturday night, and this time around she managed her energy and coasted over the line in first with a time of 53.38.

“I would like to sleep now!” Bol, who ran 50.95 in July, told BBC. “I really feel the Olympic spirit, it feels so amazing, but now I have enough time to rest.”