Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, one of the most dominant figures in the 400m hurdles, is shifting her focus. With two Olympic golds, a world title, and six world records already on her résumé, the 25-year-old American will now take on a new challenge: the women’s 400m flat.
As reported by Citius Mag, McLaughlin-Levrone has officially opted out of the 400m hurdles at the upcoming U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships (July 31–Aug. 3). This confirms she will not run the hurdles at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
She previously ran a personal best of 48.74 seconds in the 400m at the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships—ranking her as the second-fastest U.S. woman ever, just behind Sanya Richards-Ross (48.70). Since 2023, only three women globally have clocked faster times: Marileidy Paulino (48.17), Salwa Eid Naser (48.53), and Nickisha Pryce (48.57).
McLaughlin-Levrone is one of 14 American women who have met the 400m world qualifying time of 50.75 seconds, having run 49.11 at the 2023 Diamond League Final in Brussels. However, to make the U.S. team for Tokyo, she must still finish among the top three at the national championships.
Her decision to skip the hurdles event leaves an opening for new talent to rise, including Canada’s Savannah Sutherland. The 21-year-old, a two-time NCAA champion, currently holds the third-best time in the world this year (52.46), behind only McLaughlin-Levrone and defending world champ Femke Bol. Sutherland, who reached the Olympic final in Paris, could now emerge as a major contender in McLaughlin-Levrone’s absence.
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