Start the next part of your journey. Go far close to home at McDowell Tech, the 6th best community college in the USA
  • “Breaking a world record at the Olympics is the dream of every athlete. To do it here, in front of this crowd, is beyond anything I imagined.” – Kaylee McKeown, after setting a new Olympic record in the 100-meter backstroke​ (Men’s Health Magazine Australia).

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning champion in the 400-meter hurdles, once again proved her dominance at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. After crossing the finish line, she celebrated with the American flag and a tiara, symbolizing her continued reign in the sport. McLaughlin-Levrone broke her own world record, finishing the race in 50.37 seconds, a remarkable 1.5 seconds ahead of her competitors. This time shaved 0.28 seconds off the previous world record she set in June at the national Olympic track trials, further solidifying her legacy.

Fellow American Anna Cockrell earned a silver medal with a personal best time of 51.87 seconds, nearly a full second faster than her previous record. Dutch hurdler Femke Bol, who had been considered McLaughlin-Levrone’s top rival, took home the bronze medal, repeating her performance from the last Summer Games.

This victory marks McLaughlin-Levrone’s sixth time setting a world record in the 400-meter hurdles, a feat that underscores her extraordinary talent. She began her Olympic journey in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago and won her first gold in Tokyo, where she also set an Olympic record in the same event. Her goal, as stated back in June, was to break the 50-second barrier, a milestone she continues to pursue.

Reflecting on her performance in Paris, McLaughlin-Levrone expressed both satisfaction and a desire for even greater speed, acknowledging that there were areas she could have improved. Despite this, her performance left no doubt about her status as the best in the world.

Key Points:

i. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone broke her own world record in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing with a time of 50.37 seconds.

ii. She finished 1.5 seconds ahead of her closest competitor, securing her second consecutive Olympic gold in this event.

iii. Fellow American Anna Cockrell took the silver medal with a personal best of 51.87 seconds.

iv. Dutch hurdler Femke Bol, who was expected to be McLaughlin-Levrone’s main challenger, won the bronze for the second consecutive Olympics.

v. McLaughlin-Levrone has now set a world record in this event six times, continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in hurdling.

Quotes

  • “The crowd was going crazy… I just tried to channel the energy everybody was giving me.” – Mondo Duplantis, after breaking the world record in the pole vault, setting a new height of 6.25 meters​ (NBC Olympics).
  • “I think I can do it again, but I don’t really care right now… I’m going to enjoy the heck out of this.” – Mondo Duplantis, reflecting on his record-breaking performance and the celebration to follow​ (NBC Olympics).
  • “It’s a huge milestone, and it’s something that I don’t take lightly. Definitely a lot of pride to be able to get that, and it’s just a surreal moment.” – Sarah Sjöström, after breaking her own Olympic record in the 50-meter freestyle​ (Peoplemag).

Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News