The Dutch team smashed expectations at the World Championships, walking away with six medals, including two glittering golds. Femke Bol dazzled once again, defending her 400m hurdles crown with a stunning 51.54 seconds, while Jessica Schilder shocked the crowd with a 20.29m final throw in the shotput to snatch gold. Strong performances in the relays added to an unforgettable medal haul, the Netherlands’ best showing yet. But amid the celebrations, a note of concern remains: Femke Bol’s coach and Team Netherlands leader, Laurent Meuwly, has issued a heartfelt plea, highlighting the urgent need for the federation to invest more in its core athletes.
Taking to his X handle, the coach congratulated his team on their tremendous performance. However, he also raised concerns about financial support from the Dutch administrators, as he had requested additional assistance. “Nevertheless, we shouldn’t think this result is just normal in the most competitive sport after football. It’s outstanding! In order to stay on that level, we absolutely need more financial support and increased Human Resources!”
One can hardly blame Meuwly for turning to the authorities, given how the Dutch administration consistently overlooks track and field athletes. These athletes often find themselves under financial strain, struggling to make ends meet despite their dedication and achievements. While the average salary for professional athletes in the Netherlands hovers around €43,800 annually, this figure spans all sports and masks stark disparities within individual disciplines.
Those in track and field, especially outside the elite tier, face significant hurdles in securing sponsorships, leaving them with limited income opportunities and forcing many to juggle multiple jobs just to sustain their careers. Well, high-level athletes like Femke Bol certainly have managed to make a lot due to their star power, but these instances are exceptions rather than the norm.
In stark contrast, football players in the Netherlands enjoy a more lucrative financial landscape. The average salary for a footballer in the Eredivisie is approximately €291,000 per year. A massive, massive difference in what the track and field athletes can earn. Track and field coaches, despite delivering world-class results, often face limited earnings. On average, they make around €45,134 annually, with entry-level positions starting at €34,352 and senior roles topping out at €53,935.
Their dedication on the global stage far outweighs these modest paychecks. Well, despite the efforts, the track and field athletes, as well as coaches, receive small financial support. For now, the Dutch administration has yet to comment on it, but they will have to now as their athletes have made history at the World Athletics Championships.
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Femke Bol, Jessica Schilder, and others’ performances in Tokyo
At the 2025 World Athletics Championships, Dutch athletes made history, clinching a total of six medals—2 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze, marking one of the Netherlands’ finest performances ever and securing an impressive 8th place in the overall medal standings. Leading the charge was their superstar, Femke Bol, who dominated the 400m hurdles, storming to gold with a world-leading 51.54 seconds, leaving her competitors far behind and stunning the athletics world.
“This is my second gold medal in a row, which makes me really proud. This means the world to me,” said Femke Bol as she attributed her success to focused training, particularly in improving her finishing speed, and emphasized the importance of maintaining composure throughout the race. In the women’s shot put, Jessica Schilder clinched gold with a thrilling final throw of 20.29 meters.
Overcome with emotion, Schilder said, “I was crying, but those were tears of joy. Certain medals just mean a lot, and this one means a lot. That’s how hard it was for me to grab it.” Looking ahead, she added, “I’ve got bigger goals and bigger distances to come; those are my aspirations in this sport.” The Netherlands’ 4x400m relay team delivered an outstanding performance, securing a thrilling silver medal. Femke Bol, Lieke Klaver, Eugene Omalla, Jonas Phijffers, and Eveline Saalberg ensured the silver stayed with the team. In the women’s 4x400m relay, the team also excelled, clinching a bronze medal for the country.