‘Oh my word!’ – Netherlands’ Visser wins 100m hurdles by one thousandth of a second
Netherlands’ Nadine Visser edged Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska to claim gold in the women’s 100 m hurdles at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on 15 August 2024. The finish was decided by a razor‑thin margin of 0.001 seconds, sparking exclamations from the crowd and headlines across the continent. The win not only adds a coveted title to Visser’s résumé but also reshapes the sprint‑hurdles landscape ahead of next year’s World Championships. For full coverage of this momentous race, see the sports section of Chronicle News.
Key takeaways
- Visser’s victory was settled by a thousandth of a second, the smallest margin recorded at a major championship.
- The Dutch athlete out‑finished Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska, who had been a pre‑event favorite.
- The result boosts the Netherlands’ medal tally and may influence Olympic team selections.
- Analysts expect the dramatic finish to spark tactical adjustments among Europe’s top hurdlers.
Background
Nadine Visser entered Birmingham as a seasoned competitor, having previously won silver at the 2022 World Indoor Championships and posted several sub‑13‑second runs on the European circuit. Her Polish rival, Pia Skrzyszowska, arrived in peak form after a series of personal‑best performances in the early summer. Both athletes had already secured World‑Championship qualifying standards, setting the stage for a high‑stakes showdown. The European Championships, held at Alexander Stadium, serve as a key stepping stone toward the 2025 World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games.
What happened
The final unfolded under clear skies, with eight athletes sprinting out of the blocks in a tightly packed lane formation. Visser established a smooth rhythm over the first three hurdles, while Skrzyszowska surged ahead after the fourth. As they approached the last hurdle, both athletes were virtually side‑by‑side. Visser’s flawless clearance and a slightly quicker lean at the tape secured a photo‑finish that the official timing system recorded as 0.001 seconds ahead. The stadium’s giant screen flashed “Oh my word!” as commentators replayed the split‑second difference, and the BBC Sport broadcast captured the moment for a global audience.
Why it matters
The margin of victory underscores how technology now captures the minutest performance differentials, prompting coaches to refine every phase of the race. Visser’s win adds to a growing list of Dutch sprint successes, complementing the recent triumphs highlighted in GB's Glave and Azu claim European 100m one‑two and Glave and Azu deliver on GB sweep promise with 100m gold and silver. For the Netherlands, the gold medal bolsters national funding for athletics programs and may inspire a new generation of hurdlers. Moreover, the race will be dissected by analysts searching for the slightest edge, such as hurdle technique timing and finish‑line lean mechanics, potentially influencing training regimens across Europe.
What happens next
Visser will now focus on maintaining her form ahead of the World Championships in Budapest later this year, where she is tipped to be a podium contender. Skrzyszowska, despite the heartbreak, remains a top‑ranked hurdler and is likely to fine‑tune her start and hurdle clearance to close the gap. Both athletes will also feature in the upcoming Diamond League meets, giving fans additional opportunities to see the rivalry play out on the track. The European Athletics Association has announced a review of photo‑finish technology to ensure even tighter accuracy for future events.
