Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to Compete in Philadelphia Short Hurdles

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the world record holder in the women’s 400m hurdles, is set to participate in her first professional 100m races at the Philadelphia Grand Slam Track meet from May 30 to June 1.

The 25-year-old U.S. track star will switch gears to the “short hurdles” category, competing in not only the 100m hurdles but also the 100m flat sprint. She will be racing at the historic Franklin Field, known for hosting significant track events.

McLaughlin-Levrone holds a remarkable 50.37 record over 400m hurdles, achieved during the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, she faces a different challenge with the 100m hurdles, where her personal best is 12.65 seconds, set at the USATF Golden Games in May 2021. The current world record in that event is 12.12 seconds, held by Tobi Amusan.

Her last performance over the 100m hurdles was in May 2024, where she clocked a time of 12.71 seconds, albeit against a headwind. Although she has never competed professionally in the 100m flat, McLaughlin-Levrone previously ran that distance at a collegiate event in 2018, finishing with a time of 11.07 seconds while at the University of Kentucky.

The upcoming Philadelphia event marks the third stop in the Grand Slam Track series, organized by former U.S. sprinter Michael Johnson. The series features multiple races across different categories, allowing athletes to earn points toward becoming champions in their respective groups.

Following the Philadelphia event, the Grand Slam series will conclude its inaugural season with a final competition in Los Angeles from June 27-29.