Five Dutch athletes look ahead to the FBK Games

During a press conference for the FBK Games in Arnhem, five Dutch athletes looked ahead to the FBK Games, which will take place on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Stadium in Hengelo. A total of 43 Dutch athletes will compete in the main program: 34 able-bodied athletes and 9 Paralympic athletes — a record number. According to meeting director Hans Kloosterman, this is a logical result of the outstanding performances of Dutch athletics at the international level. His goal is to see a sold-out FBK stadium.

Fit Femke Broeders-Bol ready to take the plunge

“2026 is all about discovering the 800 metres”

At the end of January this year, the now 26-year-old athlete ran her only 800 metres race so far, setting a new Dutch indoor record of 1:59.07. Due to an injury, she will only return to competition in mid-June on what is still a new distance for her — first in Ostrava on June 16, and five days later in Hengelo. “Everything is new when it comes to training for the 800 metres,” she says. After countless successes in the 400 metres, 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay, she embarked on a new journey in the autumn of 2025. “I want to discover what else my body is capable of, and I’m curious about the 800 metres.” The switch has required a lot of fine-tuning for both her and her coaches. “I had to find a new stride to run more efficiently.” She has no concrete goals for this year yet. “I want to try and reach the level of the Diamond League races. Closing the gap to the world’s best takes years. That’s why I’m not going to say I’ll become European champion this summer — besides, that would not be respectful to athletes like Keely Hodgkinson and Audrey Werro, who have already proven themselves on the 800 metres.” Broeders-Bol hopes to feel the support of the crowd again in Hengelo. “I really enjoy that atmosphere and it helps me.” At the same time, she warns against expecting too much. “There’s a very good chance I won’t win everything this year.”

Jonas Phijffers eager to enjoy the FBK Games

On the 400 metres, Jonas Phijffers (22) surprised everyone last year by winning the FBK Games in a strong international field. It was also the first time he broke the magical 45-second barrier, clocking 44.93. This early summer season he has opened with similar times, despite major changes in his life: he is now a full-time professional athlete and has moved out on his own. “The foundations of the training have stayed the same, but I’m training a bit harder now and I’ve become more resilient physically. I’ve trained really well, so I think there’s still quite a bit to come off my personal best (44.71, ed.).” He describes competing at the FBK Games as something to simply “enjoy.”

Elvis Afrifa wants to be the fastest Dutchman on the 100 metres

Elvis Afrifa also pulled off a surprise victory at last year’s FBK Games. This year in Hengelo, the 100m sprinter will face African world-class sprinters such as Ferdinand Omanyala and Akani Simbine, both of whom have run under ten seconds many times. As he builds toward his main goal — winning a medal at the European Championships in Birmingham this August — he is also looking forward to battling his fellow Dutch 4x100m relay teammates Taymir Burnet and Xavi Mo-Ajok. Like Afrifa, both men hold personal bests of 10.09 seconds. “The team spirit in the 4x100 metres is magical, but in Hengelo I’m going to do everything I can to beat them.” The bronze medal in the relay at last year’s World Championships in Tokyo gave both him and the team a huge confidence boost. “We belong there and we can compete with the best.”

World indoor champion Sofie Dokter to debut at the FBK Games

A world indoor pentathlon champion is naturally capable across many individual disciplines as well. Sofie Dokter (23) wants to prove that in Hengelo in the long jump, an event in which she has already leapt 6.61 metres. “In the heptathlon, the long jump only comes on day two, when I’m usually already pretty tired after the four events on day one. At the FBK Games I’ll arrive at the start rested, so my goal in Hengelo is to jump close to my personal best.” For Dokter, it will be her first appearance at the FBK Games. “I’m really happy to be part of it this year.”

Fleur Jong: long jump is the perfect combination of speed and technique

Paralympic athlete Fleur Jong (30) is one of the para-athletes competing at the FBK Games. Thanks in part to support from the Reggeborgh Foundation, para-athletes are fully integrated into the FBK Games programme. Alongside individual events such as the 100m and 200m, they also compete in disciplines like long jump and shot put within the same competitions as able-bodied athletes. For example, Paralympic shot put champion Lara Baars will compete alongside world champion Jessica Schilder, while Paralympic long jump champion Fleur Jong will line up against Dutch long jump champion Pauline Hondema and Sofie Dokter. “I think the long jump is the perfect combination of speed and technique. It’s like launching yourself.” Her goal is to get close to her personal best — and world record — of 6.86 metres. “My form is improving and I’m getting a little better every week.”