UC legend Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Breaks American Record In The 400
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has targeted the American record in the 400-meter run for the last few years.
On Tuesday in Tokyo, the legendary graduate of Union Catholic (Class of 2017) finally chased down that goal by delivering a jaw-dropping performance, stopping the clock at 48.29 to win her semifinal heat at the World Championships.
McLaughlin-Levrone took down the record of 48.70 that Sanya Richards-Ross ran exactly 19 years ago to the day at the 2006 World Cup Championships in Athens. The 48.29 by McLaughlin-Levrone is the fastest time in the world this season and No. 7 all-time in world history!!!
McLaughlin-Levrone's previous best time of 48.74 came at the 2023 USATF Championships at Hayward Field in Oregon.
McLaughlin-Levrone's head-spinning record run adds to her remarkable legacy as one of the greatest track and field athletes of all-time!!!
At the Paris Olympics last year, McLaughlin-Levrone broke her own world record holder in the 400m hurdles with a time of 50.37. She also won the gold in the 400 hurdles at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021 and has won 2 Olympic gold medals on the 4x400 relay.
The 26 year-old McLaughlin-Levrone, focusing on just the flat 400 at these World Championships after winning the 400 hurdles at the 2022 World Championships, will have a big showdown in Thursday's final where she will clash with 2024 Olympic champ and reigning World Champ Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic. Paulino ran 48.17, the 4th fastest time in world history, to set the Olympic record in Paris last year.
If McLaughlin-Levrone wins the 400 on Thursday, she will become the first athlete ever to win world championship gold medals in the flat 400 and the 400 hurdles.
