Olympian From Jersey Breaks The World Record In 400 Meter Hurdles
How awesome is this!? 24-year-old Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, of Dunellen, just set a new world record on Sunday night and the women’s 400-meter hurdles. The U.S. Olympic Trials were at Hayward…

EUGENE, OREGON – JUNE 30: Gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone poses with the gold medal after setting a new world record in the women’s 400 meter hurdles final on Day Ten of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field on June 30, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)How awesome is this!?
24-year-old Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, of Dunellen, just set a new world record on Sunday night and the women's 400-meter hurdles.
The U.S. Olympic Trials were at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. For the most part, Sydney was not active in the sport for about 2 years and only going to make herself better and stronger, and it looks like it paid off for her.
McLaughlin-Levrone hit the track and set a world record at the hurdles, finishing at 50.65 seconds -- breaking her record by .03 seconds. In a game of milliseconds, beating your record like that is an amazing accomplishment.
Leading Up To The Big Moment
She spent a lot of time working on the shorter hurdles, and the 200 - and 400-meter sprints to get faster. The short hurdles helped her get the most out of the difficult art of jumping off either foot. McLaughlin-Levrone hit the field. Next to her, was her rival, 2016 Olympic gold medal winner and former world record holder, Dalilah Muhammad, who finished sixth in 54.27.
McLaughlin-Levrone will begin her defense of the Olympic title when she runs in the opening round of the 400 hurdles at the Olympic Games in Paris on Sunday, August 4.
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100-meter dash, high jump and pole vault are just some of the events that will be aired for the Track & Field events at the Olympics.
Olympic veteran Allyson Felix and newcomer Sydney McLaughlin are favored to win gold in their respected events.
Felix who recently became a mother to her daughter Camryn, thought at first she wouldn't make the team this year.
“I just remember thinking, I don’t know if I’m going to get back,” Felix told Time. “I don’t know if I can.”
Although the five-time Olympian fell short in the 200m placing in fifth in the trials, she secured her a 400m spot on the team.
"I feel a mix of all emotions. I'm real excited obviously to be going to Tokyo. There's a part of me that's sad because this has been my life for so long," Felix told USA Today. "This is my last time around. I feel sad for that, but also excited for what’s to come."
McLaughlin makes history as the youngest Track & Field athlete to compete at the age of 21 and had a record-breaking performance at the trials running a 51.90. The New Jersey native beat teammate Dalilah Muhammad's record of 52.42 who she will be competing against at the Olympics.
“We are the United States of America, and everybody understands how special it is to put that uniform on,” Head Coach of the USA Track and Field Team Mike Holloway said per Gator Sports. “Remember the dedication and the hard work you did to be an Olympian."
Coverage for the Track & Field events begin July 30 and can be watched on NBC and streamed on NBCSports.com.
Allyson Felix
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Events: 400m, 400m relay
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Event: 400m, 400m relay
Sydney McLaughlin
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)Hometown: New Brunswick, NJ Event: 400m hurdles
Hometown: New Brunswick, NJ
Noah Lyles
(Photo by Daniel Cole/Pool via Getty Images)Hometown: Clermont, FL Event: 200m
Hometown: Clermont, FL Event: 200m
Ryan Crouser
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)Hometown: Boring, OR Event: Shot Put
Hometown: Boring, OR Event: Shot Put
Gabby Thomas
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Hometown: Florence, MA Events: 200m, 4x100m Relay Pool
Hometown: Florence, MA Event: 200m, 4x100m Relay Pool
Brittney Reese
(Photo by Oliver Hardt/Getty Images for European Athletics)Hometown: Gulfport, MS Event: Long Jump
Hometown: Gulfport, MS
Athing Mu
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Hometown: Trenton, NJ Event: 800m
Hometown: Trenton, NJ Event: 800m
Rai Benjamin
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Hometown: Mount Vernon, NY Event: 400m Hurdles
Hometown: Mount Vernon, NY Event: 400m Hurdles
JuVaughn Harrison
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)Hometown: Huntsville, AL Event: High Jump
Hometown: Huntsville, AL Event: High Jump
Trayvon Bromell
(Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL Events: 100m, 4x100m relay
Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL Event: 100m, 4x100m relay




