MANCHESTER, England – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is set to make a daring switch at this month’s World Athletics Championships, stepping away from her trademark 400m hurdles to compete in the flat 400m a move driven by her relentless ambition and desire for growth.
The 26-year-old American has already dominated the hurdles, smashing six world records and winning two Olympic and one world title. But this season, she opted for the flat 400m, an event where she is not the clear favorite. McLaughlin-Levrone admits it has been an adjustment, but says she is committed to the long-term process of mastering a new challenge.
“In recent years, people have expected records whenever I race,” she told reporters in a video call. “But really, I just want to be the best all-around track athlete I can be. If it takes time to get faster in the 400, even years, I’m willing to put in the work.”
Her shift to the 400m began in 2023, though a knee injury forced her out of that year’s world championships. Now back, she’s embraced the learning curve and the unique demands of the event.
“This was always something I wanted to return to. I love testing myself in new events and pushing my limits before I retire,” she said. “It’s been a huge challenge, but I’ve enjoyed every moment learning about the 400, about myself, and about how different it is from the hurdles.”
Asked about the difference, she joked: “It hurts more.” She explained that while the hurdles follow a stride pattern, the flat 400 is “pure sprinting.”
McLaughlin-Levrone’s times already rank among the best in the world. Her 48.90 at the U.S. championships was just shy of Sanya Richards-Ross’s American record and the third-fastest worldwide this year, behind Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser (48.67) and Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino (48.81).
Still, the 400m world record remains a formidable target — Marita Koch’s 47.6 from 1985, a mark tainted by East Germany’s doping history. “With the right athlete and perfect conditions, I think it’s possible,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “But first, someone has to get under 48 seconds.”
These championships carry added significance, as they return her to Tokyo, the stadium where she won her first Olympic gold in 2021. “That was such a special moment,” she recalled. “During a time when COVID kept so many people inside, the Olympics gave us hope and reminded us to keep chasing our dreams.”
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