NEW YORK, July 29 (Reuters) – Hurdles star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is setting her sights on new ground in the 400m flat as the U.S. Track and Field Championships begin this week in Eugene, Oregon, with World Championship spots up for grabs.
McLaughlin-Levrone, who has shattered the 400m hurdles world record six times and won back-to-back Olympic golds, is now aiming to win the 400m flat title at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September. After first hinting at the switch three years ago, she’s made steady progress clocking 48.74 seconds in Eugene last year (the second-fastest time by an American) and winning again at Hayward Field earlier this month in 49.43.
“This is a great benchmark for us moving forward,” she said after her latest race. “There’s still a lot to improve on, but it doesn’t feel as overwhelming as it once did.”
While Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson already have guaranteed entries in the 100m at Worlds, McLaughlin-Levrone’s pursuit of the 400m flat adds intrigue to what is otherwise a relatively predictable U.S. trials.
Lyles and Richardson are both entered in the 100m and 200m in Eugene, although only Lyles holds an automatic spot in the 200m thanks to his 2023 world title. Richardson will have to go through Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, who’s been active on the Grand Slam Track circuit this year. On the men’s side, Kenny Bednarek, a two-time Olympic silver medallist in the 200m, will also compete.
Another closely watched event will be the women’s 800m, where Athing Mu-Nikolayev seeks redemption after missing out on last year’s Olympic team due to a fall at trials. At the time, it was later revealed she had been nursing a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old recently returned to the event at the Prefontaine Classic, placing 10th with a time of 2:03.44 her first 800m race in nearly a year. “I’m just glad I finished the race,” she told Citius Mag, adding she feels physically ready for trials. “I’m not too down about it it’s all part of the comeback.”
The 2025 U.S. Outdoor Championships begin Thursday.
Be the first to comment