Niels Laros to FBK Games 2025

Niels Laros is set to appear at the FBK Games. After his spectacular performance in last year’s edition of the FBK Games in the 1000 meters, where he broke both the world junior record and the Dutch national record. Laros will take on the 800 meters on Whit Monday, June 9. In addition to the 1500 meters, in which he secured sixth place at the Paris Olympic Games, the athlete from Oosterhout, North Brabant, also excels in the 800 meters, as evidenced by his personal best of 1:44.73 from 2023.

Niels Laros: “Racing in front of a home crowd is always amazing. I have great memories of Hengelo last year, and I’m looking forward to being part of it again this year.”

“Niels is making remarkable progress at a young age. With his world record in the 1000 meters during last year’s FBK Games, he really made a name for himself,” says meeting director Ellen van Langen from Global Sports Communication. “With his fantastic performance at the Olympic Games, Niels has truly proven to be an athlete for the future.”

Laros, who turned 20 on April 17, was named "Rising Star of the Year" by the European Athletics Federation last year. In 2023, the Dutch sports federation NOC*NSF also awarded him the Young Talent Award for the Netherlands’ most promising sports talent at its annual sports gala. These accolades are more than justified. Over the past three years, the still-young Laros has set six Dutch senior records, in addition to four national, two European, and one world junior record.

“I’m really happy to have Niels at the start in Hengelo,” says meeting director Hans Kloosterman. “He’s one of the biggest talents in the world, and in recent years has emerged as the figurehead of the new generation of Dutch athletics.”

Alongside Femke Bol and Niels Laros, high jumper Nicola Olyslagers has also been announced for the FBK Games. Nicola is the reigning world indoor champion and Olympic silver medalist in her event.