Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dazzled with a new world record in the 400 m hurdles, successfully defending her Olympic title in Paris on Thursday evening with a time of 50.37. Unfortunately for the home crowd, French runner Louise Maraval finished in eighth place, at the bottom of the final standings.
With her impressive performance, McLaughlin-Levrone set a new world record, surpassing her previous best of 50.65, which she had achieved at the U.S. trials in June. Her compatriot, Anna Cockrell, took second place with a personal best of 51.87, while Dutch athlete Femke Bol, who was expected to be a strong contender, settled for third with a time of 52.15 after struggling in the final stretch.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s victory marked her sixth world record in the 400 m hurdles, showcasing her dominance in the event. The Stade de France erupted with excitement as it became clear that a new record was imminent, and McLaughlin-Levrone celebrated with a tiara as she rang the victory bell.
As the first woman to break both the 52 and 51-second barriers, McLaughlin-Levrone has established herself as a transformative figure in the sport. Reflecting on her achievement, she expressed pride in the growing interest in the 400 m hurdles and acknowledged the extensive preparation that led to her success.
Bol, considered McLaughlin-Levrone’s closest competitor and supported by a sizable Dutch crowd, faltered after her gold-medal performance in the mixed relay. Meanwhile, McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning 2022 world champion, outpaced the field decisively in the final stretch. Cockrell, in a heartfelt moment, shared her gratitude and emotion, highlighting the importance of her performance with her family present.
This victory continued the U.S. dominance in the event, as Grant Holloway also secured a win in the men’s 110 m hurdles, marking another outstanding medal night for American track and field.