Sydney McLaughlin Levrone breaks 400-meter hurdle record at U.S. Olympic Trials
Anna Cockrell, Jasmine Jones and McLaughlin Levrone are joining McLaughlin Levrone on the 400m hurdle team at Paris.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won the 400-meter hurdle final and set a world record for the event at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on Sunday.
McLaughlin Levrone is the world’s No.1 and reigning gold-medalist. The world No. 1 finished in 50.65 seconds. Anna Cockrell, Jasmine Jones and others were just over two seconds back.
All three of the top finishers secured spots on the Olympic Team. This could be one the strongest events for America in Paris.
McLaughlin Levrone is the world’s No.1 and reigning gold-medalist. The world No. 1 barely sweated in the semifinals on Saturday, advancing to the finals Sunday at Hayward Stadium, Eugene.
McLaughlin Levrone, a calm and collected McLaughlin, promised to “let the air fly” at the last event of this meet.
McLaughlin kept her promise. She knelt on the floor and covered her mouth with shock when she saw her record-breaking time.
McLaughlin expressed her gratitude to God after the race and described herself as “amazed” and “in shock.”
Cockrell pushed her, recording a personal-best 52.95 during the semifinals in order to qualify for the final. She then surpassed that time in the finals by a time 52.64.
Cockrell, in contrast to McLaughlin’s professional demeanor couldn’t hide her excitement at breaking the 53-second barrier for the first.
She said, “It means that I am ready.” It tells me that what we have been working on in the past has worked. I’m pleased, I’m pleased.”
Sydney McLaughlin Levrone competes during the women’s 400 meter hurdles semi-final on Saturday. Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Shamier Little , who won Saturday’s heat, and Dalilah Mohammed, the Tokyo silver medalist from last year’s Olympics also made up Sunday’s field.
Cockrell, the second-place finisher in the 400 meter hurdles race, said that she was “emotional,” but also wanted to use the opportunity to speak about Muhammad. Cockrell claimed Muhammad had “revolutionized the event.”
Cockrell stated that “the impact you have had on this sport is beyond medals and records.”
Muhammad came in sixth place in the race, but missed out on a position in Paris.
Cockrell stated, “Your grace and poise, your competition and your mentorship to me — I cannot thank ‘De’ enough.” “I want her to get her flowers right now.”
The women’s 100-horse race saw Keni Harrison (who won the silver medal in Tokyo) and Nia Ali (who won the silver medal in Rio) compete. Alayha Johnson, who had the fastest semifinal time (12.36 seconds), also took part.
Harrison placed sixth, and Ali came in fourth. Both missed out on making the team.
The winner of the 100-meter race was World No. Masai Russell was the 17th runner, followed by Johnson, and Grace Stark.
The men’s 400 meter hurdles were won by Rai Benjamin who took silver in Tokyo. CJ Allen and Trevor Bassitt also secured their spots.
Benjamin and Allen posted the two fastest final times, a 46.46 and 47.81 respectively. Bassitt was the fastest at 47.82.
David K. Li, a senior breaking-news reporter for NBC News Digital.
Raquel Coronell is a reporter who covers breaking news.