Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Wins Gold In 400-Meter Hurdles

Olympic hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone put on a masterclass to add consecutive gold medals to her collection and keep her winning streak alive in global events. McLaughlin-Levrone finished at 50.37, lowering her record of 50.65 set in June during the U.S. Trials in Oregon. Anna Cockrell came in second at 51.87, while Femke Bol finished third, clocking in at 52.15.

McLaughlin-Levrone and Cockrell’s outings were part of the contribution to eight medals in four events – Tara Davis-Woodhall and Jasmine Moore won gold and bronze in the women’s long jump, Grant Holloway and Daniel Roberts placed first and second in the men’s 110-meter hurdles while Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles placed second and third in the 200-meter.

“A blessing, honestly,” the American hurdler said. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity, grateful to be healthy and to come out of it in one piece. There was a lot of anticipation leading up to this race, and I’m just grateful for all that has taken place.”

A rivalry between Bol and McLaughlin-Levrone is starting to emerge as the Dutch hurdler made things interesting.

Before the Paris final, the two squared off at the 2020 Olympic Final and 2022 World Championships, in which the American hurdler won convincingly. Bol won the 2023 World Championships in McLaughlin-Levrone’s absence while closing in on her record before the 2024 Olympics. In Paris, Bol won the Netherlands a gold medal after showing off her flat speed with a 47.93 anchor leg to stun the Americans.

McLaughlin-Levrone has an opportunity to snag another gold in Saturday’s 4×400 relay. The next time that the hurdler will get another opportunity for distance at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Article by Christian Bongiorno