Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone wins Olympic gold in women's 400-meter hurdles in Paris

There’s dominant and then there’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. See ya, world record.

The American track star dominated the 400-meter hurdles final at the Olympic Games in Paris on Thursday afternoon, running a world record time of 50.37 seconds. She smashed her own record in the process.

The field never had a chance, as by the time the final turn was made McLaughlin-Levrone had a lead that she wasn’t going to relinquish.

There’s NO catching Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone!

She adds ANOTHER 400m hurdles gold medal and WORLD RECORD to her collection. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/RJ7reApKfV

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the five-time All-American out of Kentucky, had advanced to the women’s 400-meter hurdles final in fine form, looking like the most dominant runner in the field.

She blazed through her second race at the Paris Olympics by throwing down a 52.13-second time, the fastest in the field. And she didn’t even look overly strained doing it, seemingly possessing an extra gear still.

After all, there was a reason she was both the defending gold medalist and world record holder.

McLaughlin-Levrone set that world record not long ago, at the U.S. Olympic trials on June 30, a 50.65-second run at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. She also owned the Olympic record, too.

The former Kentucky track star clocked a 51.46-second time in one of the sport’s most difficult events back at the Tokyo Olympics on Aug. 4, 2021. That was enough to win gold in Tokyo.

In addition to her gold medal in Tokyo in the 400-meter hurdles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone also claimed gold in the 4×400-meter relay.

That makes today’s result her third gold medal at the Olympics. It likely won’t be her last.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone – Kentucky Running Bio

The Bowerman Semifinalist
NCAA Champion – 2018 400H
Three-time SEC Champion – 2018 400m (indoor), 400H and 4x400m relay
Five-time All-America (2018 indoor 200m, 400m, 4x400m | outdoor 400H, 4x400m)
Collegiate record: 400H – 52.75
UK record – Indoor 400m (50.36), Outdoor 400m (50.07)
2016 Olympian – Team USA (400H)
World U20 Record – 400H (52.75), 400m (50.07)
National HS Record – 300H (38.90)
National HS Indoor Record – 400H
World Record – DMR (10:40.31)
2015 IAAF World Youth Champion – 400H
2016 USATF U20 Champion – 400H
10-Time HS National Champion