Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone broke the women’s 400-meter hurdles world record for the fifth time on Sunday, after crossing the line in 50.65 seconds at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
The 24-year-old took 0.03 seconds off her previous record, which was also set at Eugene’s Hayward Field two years ago, and in the process earned a spot on the US team for the Paris Olympics.
Running in lane five, McLaughlin-Levrone was leading the race by the 250-meter mark and had opened up a huge lead as she raced down the home straight.
She finished almost two seconds ahead of Anna Cockrell in second place, with a look of disbelief on her face as she crossed the line and caught her breath.
“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting that time,” McLaughlin-Levrone later told reporters, adding: “Knowing that there is more there and there is more to fix just is a confidence booster heading into Paris.”
“She’s really fast and she’s really strong, it’s hard to put it any other way,” Cockrell said.
Anna Cockrell (52.64) was second while Jasmine Jones (52.77) took third.
McLaughlin has just handed herself a ticket to the Paris Olympics as one of the stars of the US team and a strong favorite to defend her title from three years ago, with Dutch athlete Femke Bol likely to provide the strongest competition.
“I would love to dip under 50 at some point,” said McLaughlin-Levrone. “I don’t know if that’s this year or if that’s next year. Just always chipping away, seeing what’s possible, and continuing to improve the race.
“There are so many different ways to run it and I feel like every time I’m on the track, I’m figuring out what’s the best way.”
McLaughlin-Levrone’s previous world record, also set at Hayward Field, was 50.68, which she ran at the 2022 World Championships.
McLaughlin-Levrone is the defending gold medalist in the 400 hurdles and nearly every time she lines up on the track she sets a new world record. She isn’t just the favorite in Paris but is expected to win by a wide margin.
