Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning Olympic champion in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, celebrated her 25th birthday in grand fashion at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Not only did she successfully defend her title, but she also shattered her own world record, clocking in at an astonishing 50.37 seconds. This remarkable achievement marked the sixth time she had set a new world record in this event.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s victory was a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination. She surged ahead from the starting line, leaving her closest rival, Femke Bol of the Netherlands, trailing behind. Throughout the race, she maintained a commanding lead, showcasing her incredible speed and endurance. Bol, the second-fastest woman in the event, struggled to keep pace and eventually finished third, while Anna Cockrell of the United States secured the silver medal with a personal best of 51.87 seconds.
“I think this was my first real Olympics,” McLaughlin-Levrone said after her triumph. “I’m so grateful for this opportunity and to be celebrating my 25th birthday like this.”
McLaughlin-Levrone’s achievement is a historic milestone. She became the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic titles in the 400-meter hurdles since the event’s inception in 1984. She acknowledged the role of competitors like Bol in pushing her to achieve such heights, but it was clear that she was in a league of her own on this day.
“We’ve taken this event so far,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “I have to credit these ladies next to me for helping me do that. This is an event that wasn’t very popular, but we made it very popular very quickly. I do think 49 (seconds) is possible. I do think the talent sitting in front of you can do that.”
With a personal best of 48.74 seconds in the open 400 meters, McLaughlin-Levrone hinted at the possibility of switching to that event in the future, though she remains undecided.
“I don’t know if I can give a definitive yes or no,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “I do love doing other events. There are other events that I haven’t done since high school that I’d also love to do. I don’t know.”
