Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Shatters World Record in 400m Hurdles at Paris Olympics
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone broke the world record in the women's 400m hurdles at the Paris Olympics by nearly three tenths of a second.
- She won the gold medal, marking her second consecutive Olympic victory in the event.
- Her impressive performance solidifies her status as one of the greatest hurdlers in history.
In a thrilling display at the Stade de France, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone successfully defended her Olympic title in the women's 400-meter hurdles, setting a new world record of 50.37 seconds. This victory marks her second consecutive gold medal in the event, further solidifying her status as a dominant force in track and field. The race was highly anticipated, featuring a rivalry with Dutch athlete Femke Bol, who had also broken the 51-second barrier earlier this summer. McLaughlin-Levrone, who celebrated her 25th birthday on the day of the race, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete and emphasized her focus on overcoming hurdles rather than being distracted by them. She had previously set the world record five times since June 2021, showcasing her remarkable consistency and dedication to the sport. Her performance not only earned her gold but also contributed to a U.S. sweep in the event, with fellow American Anna Cockrell taking silver and Bol securing bronze. The rivalry between McLaughlin-Levrone and Bol has been building, with both athletes pushing each other to new heights. McLaughlin-Levrone's journey in athletics began at a young age, and she has continued to excel, having previously made history as the youngest athlete to qualify for the U.S. Olympic track team in 2016. As she looks to the future, McLaughlin-Levrone remains focused on improving her performance and making history in the sport.