The world 400 metres hurdles champion Femke Bol is switching events and plans to focus instead on the 800 metres from next season.

“The 400m hurdles has given me unforgettable memories and shaped me into the athlete I am today,” said Bol in a statement. “But I am driven by the need to push my boundaries.

“The 800m is a completely new challenge — one that excites me because it will require fresh strengths, strategies, and resilience. My ambition is not just to compete but also to reach and be successful at the highest level.”

Last month, Bol, perhaps the most successful Dutch track athletes of all time, successfully defended her world title in Tokyo. She also picked up a bronze medal for the 4×400 and silver in the 4×400 mixed relay.

She is the second-fastest woman in the world in the 400 metres hurdles behind the US athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and holds the world indoor record.

McLaughlin-Levrone opted for the 400 metres flat at the world games in Tokyo in September.