Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Final Chance for Olympic Medal in Paris
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the world record-breaking Olympic champion, won’t be racing alongside Team USA’s Alexis Holmes in the women’s 400-meter finals on the purple track in Paris. Despite initially signing up for the 200 and 400-meter flat races at the U.S. Olympic trials, McLaughlin-Levrone decided to focus solely on defending her Olympic title in the 400-meter hurdles at the Paris Summer Games.
In a recent interview after clinching the 400 hurdles gold, McLaughlin-Levrone shared her decision-making process, stating, “I think we wanted to just stick with our bread and butter. The flat 400 has so much to teach hurdlers in terms of race strategy and speed, making them complement each other well.”
Just before the trials, she clocked the third-fastest time in U.S. history in the 400 flat at the NYC Grand Prix in 48.75 seconds. Trying to balance both the 400 flat and hurdles would have led to a grueling schedule with overlapping race days in Paris.
What’s Next for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone?
McLaughlin-Levrone still has one final opportunity to earn an Olympic medal before heading home. She is expected to compete in the women’s 4x400m relay, showcasing her speed and agility on the track once more. Her dedication and focus on her events have set her apart in the world of athletics, and fans are eager to see her excel in the relay event.