In a successful Hayward Field stadium, 400m hurdles queen Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone concluded the American Olympic trials with a new world record in 50.65 on Sunday in Eugene (Oregon).
The final event on the programme after ten days of competition, the women’s 400m hurdles saw a demonstration by McLaughlin-Levrone, who reminded everyone after a difficult 2023 that she would indeed be the favourite to succeed her at the Paris Olympic Games in a month’s time (July 26 – August 11).
“I knew I could run under 51 seconds, but I was surprised by the time because my intervals (between hurdles) weren’t as good as I hoped. But I’m really happy to know that my form is good and I can still work on certain points”she said.
McLaughlin-Levrone, who trains in Los Angeles with historic coach Bob Kersee, had already participated in the Rio Games at 17 before bringing back two gold medals from Tokyo in 2021 (400m hurdles and 4x400m).
Absent at the World Championships in Budapest last year due to an injury, McLaughlin-Levrone had not run a single 400m hurdles in 2023, despite some convincing 400m meets.
Fifth record
This year, after a tuning outing at the end of May then a series and a half without pushing this week, the 24-year-old American gave everything in the final for her fifth world record in three years, the fourth in the Hayward setting. field.
She had broken the record for the first time in June 2021 in Eugene for the Olympic selections already, in 51.90, before improving her mark in Tokyo two months later (51.46), then in June 2022 again in Eugene (51.41) and finally in July 2022, still in Oregon, to become world champion (50.68).
At 24, her margin over the competition seems immense, even if the Dutch world champion Femke Bol came closer last year (51.45), and promises to deliver an intense duel in Paris.
guillementI would love to run under 50 seconds one day.
“I would love to run under 50 seconds one day, I don’t know if it could be this year”she indicated.
The time of 50.65 would have allowed McLaughlin-Levrone to place sixth in the 400m “flat” final of the US selections last week.
Dazzling Benjamin
His exceptional performance almost eclipsed the enormous time of his counterpart Rai Benjamin, winner of the men’s final in 46.46, the best world performance of the season and fifth fastest time in history.
Benjamin will have revenge to take in Paris after his second place in a Homeric duel with Norway’s Karsten Warholm at the Tokyo Games in 2021. Brazilian Alison dos Santos has now joined the fray for one of the most anticipated races of the Olympics.
12.25 over 100m hurdles
The hurdles saw the rockets pass on Sunday in Eugene, also with a women’s 100m hurdles on fire.
Masai Russell (24) dominated the final in 12.25 (0.7 m/s wind), the best world performance of the season, making her the fourth fastest athlete in the history of the discipline, and a serious contender for the Olympic podium in Paris.
Russell will be accompanied at the Games by Alaysha Johnson (12.31, her record) and Grace Stark (also 12.31, record).
At the end of a race of unprecedented density, Nia Ali (fourth in 12.37), Olympic vice-champion in Rio in 2016 and 2019 world champion, as well as Kendra Harrison (fifth in 12.39), Olympic vice-champion in Tokyo in 2021, bore the brunt of the merciless trials, with only the top three in each event qualifying for the Games.
Nikki Hiltz won a very fast 1,500m in 3.55.33, Bryce Hoppel the 800m in 1.42.77 and Grant Fisher the 5,000m (13:08.85), while Katie Moon will defend her Olympic pole vault title (second with 4.73m) where Sandi Morris will be missing.
Taylor’s Farewell
“Tracktown USA” said goodbye to a track and field legend, Christian Taylor, a two-time Olympic champion, four-time world champion and second-best triple jumper in history, who failed to qualify for the Olympics. Taylor, 34, had announced earlier this year that 2024 would be his final season.
