Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has once again cemented her legacy in track and field, winning gold and setting a new world record in the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the Paris Olympics. The much-anticipated showdown between McLaughlin-Levrone and her Dutch rival, Femke Bol, turned into a race against time, with McLaughlin-Levrone emerging victorious.
As the reigning Olympic champion, McLaughlin-Levrone entered the Paris Games with high expectations, having lowered the world record for the fifth time earlier this summer. Her record-setting run of 50.37 seconds on Thursday night eclipsed her previous mark by 0.28 seconds, further solidifying her dominance in the event.
The race began with McLaughlin-Levrone bursting out of the blocks, quickly establishing a lead. By the final 100 meters, she was racing alone, with Bol unable to keep pace. In a surprising outcome, it was fellow American Anna Cockrell who secured the silver medal with a time of 51.87 seconds, while Bol had to settle for bronze, finishing in 52.15 seconds.
To underscore the magnitude of McLaughlin-Levrone's performance, her time was faster than 16 of the 24 women who competed in the semifinals of the Olympic open 400 meters—a race that doesn't include hurdles.
McLaughlin-Levrone, who has not lost a 400-meter hurdles race since July 2019, continues to demonstrate her unparalleled dominance in the sport. Her victory in Paris marked her 25th consecutive win in the event, with Bol having been her closest competitor on three occasions, only to be decisively beaten each time.
The Paris final was particularly intriguing due to Bol's steady improvement over the past two years, during which she lowered her times and gained confidence on the international circuit. However, McLaughlin-Levrone, who took a year off from the 400 hurdles to focus on the open 400, proved once again that she remains the undisputed queen of the 400-meter hurdles.
As she reflected on her victory, McLaughlin-Levrone emphasized her drive to push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport, stating, “There’s something really exciting about figuring out how to improve upon history.”
With her latest triumph, McLaughlin-Levrone continues to build her case as one of the most dominant athletes in track and field history.
