Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set a new world record by running the 400-meter hurdles in 50.65 seconds at the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon. This was her fifth time breaking the record, with four of those occasions taking place at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field. McLaughlin-Levrone, the defending Olympic champion, won the race with an outstanding performance where she cleared all 10 barriers smoothly before sprinting to the finish line.
When she saw her time displayed on the screen, McLaughlin-Levrone was overcome with emotion, holding her hand over her mouth in disbelief. She expressed her joy and gratitude during an interview where she credited her success to her hard work and the support of her coach and husband. The victory margin of 1.99 seconds over Anna Cockrell and 2.12 over Jasmine Jones showcased her dominance in the event.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s record-breaking run has shifted the narrative around the Olympics and raised the question of whether she can break the 50-second barrier in the near future. Her decision to switch coaches to Bobby Kersee has been instrumental in her progress, as he made key adjustments to her technique that have elevated her performance. This victory solidifies her status as a frontrunner for gold at the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
Former hurdler Edwin Moses commented on McLaughlin-Levrone’s potential to break the 50-second mark, noting that with a few more races, she could achieve this milestone. The athletics world is abuzz with excitement over the possibility of witnessing history being made in the women’s 400-meter hurdles event, thanks to the remarkable talent and determination of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.