Sydney McLaughlin-Levron has made history once again by setting a new world record in the 400m hurdles. At the USA Olympic Team Trials held in Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, the reigning Olympic champion ran an impressive time of 50.65, besting her previous world record of 50.68 set at the World Championships two years ago on the same course. This outstanding performance not only earned her the title but also secured her a place in Paris for the upcoming Olympics.
Beating her Dutch rival Femke Boll’s 52.49 at the European Championships earlier in June, McLaughlin-Levron led with determination and poise from the first hurdle to the finish line, commanding the attention and support of the crowd at Hayward Field throughout the 10-day championship. Expressing her gratitude and surprise at her achievement, McLaughlin-Levron acknowledged that it was her hard work and dedication that went into achieving this feat. Her focus on perfecting her stride pattern and continuously pushing herself to be better led to this incredible result.
Fellow athletes Anna Cockrell and Jasmine Jones secured second and third place respectively, and will also head to Paris alongside McLaughlin-Levron. Reflecting on her performance, McLaughlin-Levrone emphasized her commitment to exploring different strategies and approaches to running the race. With a mindset focused on improvement and constant challenges on the track, she remains determined to see what else she can achieve in the future. While World Athletics awaits confirmation of this remarkable achievement before adding it to its record books, there is no doubt that McLaughlin-Levron has set a new standard in athletics world.