On the final day of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore., Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made a statement to the world in the 400m hurdles, breaking the world record for the fifth time in the last three years. McLaughlin-Levrone ran 50.65 seconds in the hurdles final, lowering her previous world record by three-hundredths of a second.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s winning time is nearly two seconds faster than anyone who has run the 400m hurdles this year, including 2023 world champion Femke Bol. Her time, over hurdles, was also faster than four of the nine runners in the women’s 400m finals at the U.S. Trials last weekend.
The 24-year-old was in disbelief when she looked at the clock and saw 50.65 seconds, kneeling on the track and covering her mouth in shock.
Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone joins The Shakeout Podcast
This is only her fourth 400m hurdles race of the 2024 season. Her season’s best heading into Sunday’s final was 52.48 seconds. Four of her five world record marks have now come at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. In an event that used to be decided by steps or slivers, McLaughlin-Levrone won by two seconds over Anna Cockrell and Jasmine Jones, who both recorded personal best performances of 52.64 and 52.77, respectively.
NEW WORLD RECORD 🚨
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ran a 50.65 in the 400m hurdles and it’s only the trials 😳 pic.twitter.com/qk1qbNJnLY
— ESPN (@espn) July 1, 2024
With less than a month until the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, McLaughlin-Levrone will be a major storyline for Team USA and the favourite to win gold in the women’s 400m hurdles event.
