Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning Olympic champion in the 400-meter hurdles, made a strategic decision to focus solely on this event in the Paris Summer Games. Despite initially planning to compete in the 200 and 400-meter flat races at the U.S. Olympic trials, she withdrew from those events to concentrate on defending her world record in the 400 hurdles.
In a recent interview following her historic win in the 400 hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone explained her decision to prioritize this event. She emphasized the importance of honing her skills in the hurdles race, stating that running the flat 400 would complement her training and enhance her overall performance.
Just before the Olympic trials, McLaughlin-Levrone displayed her exceptional speed by setting the third fastest time in U.S. history for the 400 flat at the NYC Grand Prix. However, due to scheduling conflicts between the 400 flat and hurdles races in Paris, she opted to focus solely on the hurdles competition.
What’s Next for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone?
Despite missing out on the 400-meter finals, McLaughlin-Levrone still has an opportunity to secure another Olympic medal. She is expected to participate in the women’s 4x400m relay, providing her with one last chance to showcase her exceptional talent on the world stage.
