Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Powers Through to 400m Hurdles Semifinals at Paris Olympics

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made her way into the semifinals of the women’s 400m hurdles at the Paris Olympics with seemingly effortless grace. Looking to defend the gold medal she won in Tokyo, she comfortably sailed through her first heat, even after clipping the sixth hurdle, which is a rare sight for the star. Despite that little bump, she finished ahead of all her competitors.

Though McLaughlin-Levrone is a top contender, she isn’t without fierce competition. Femke Bol from the Netherlands, the reigning world champion, looms large as both women are the only athletes to have ever clocked in under 51 seconds in the event. The stage is set for an exciting showdown in the upcoming races.

In the lead-up to this Olympic appearance, McLaughlin-Levrone set a new world record of 50.65 seconds at the Olympic Trials held in Oregon back in June. This 24-year-old star is gearing up to celebrate her birthday on August 7 while in the midst of competition.

This is McLaughlin-Levrone’s third Olympic Games. She made her debut in Rio in 2016 at just 17 years old, being the youngest U.S. Olympian in track and field since 1972, although she didn’t make it past the semi-finals that year. Now, as a seasoned athlete, she is expected to compete in the women’s 400m hurdles and the women’s 4x400m relay, both of which she and the United States are defending gold medalists.

In the women’s 400m hurdles, the first round will take place from August 4 to August 8. Heats will determine which athletes advance to the semifinals, and those who do not qualify will get a chance to compete in a repechage round.

The semi-finals are set for August 6, leading up to the final race on August 8. The women’s 4x400m relay races follow a day later, with the first round taking place on August 9 and the finals on August 10.

Runners will pass the baton in a relay format, with regulations that will see teams disqualified for errors such as dropping the baton or running outside their lane. The U.S. team has excelled in this event, winning gold in seven consecutive Olympics and is gunning for an eighth.

McLaughlin-Levrone’s races will be broadcast live on NBC and streaming on Peacock, which sports fans won’t want to miss. Alongside her track achievements, she has also made headlines in her personal life by marrying Andre Levrone Jr. in May 2022.

With her roots in Dunellen, New Jersey, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is making waves on the Olympic stage once again.