Sydney McLaughlin sets new 400 meter hurdles world record

The US Olympic track trials held at Hayward Field, University of Oregon, closed a special edition in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games with a new world record by one of the stars to watch in Paris 2024: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

McLaughlin, the reigning Olympic champion and double world champion of 400 meters hurdles, boosted her dominance in the discipline on Sunday by setting a new world record of 50.65, shaving 0.03 off the record she herself previously held since July 2022.

McLaughlin-Levrone breaks her own world record for the fourth consecutive time

In the final, McLaughlin finished ahead of Anna Crockell, who crossed the line second on 52.64, and Jasmine Jones, third with 52.77, and with a clear declaration of her intentions to seek a new Olympic title in Paris next month. The women’s 400m hurdles event starts on 4 August with the final set for Thursday 8th August at 21:25 hours CEST (15:25 EDT / 12:25 PDT).

There was also a high level in the men’s 400 meter hurdles event, won by Rai Benjamin, achieving a season’s best and new championship record with 46.46, ahead of C.J. Allen, second with 47.81, and Trevor Bassitt, third with 47.82. And in the women’s 100 meter hurdles Masai Russell gave a serious warning ahead of the Games with a time of 12.25, the best mark of the year, to beat Alaysha Johnson and Grace Stark.

In the women’s 1,500m final, victory went to Nikki Hiltz who won with a championship record with 3:55.33, ahead of Emily Mackay and beating Elle St. Pierre, who had to settle with third position with 3:55.99.

There was also excitement in the men’s 800m with the triumph of Bryce Hopper, with a championship record with his 1:42.77 ahead of Hobbs Kessler, second with 1:43.64, and Brandon Miller, third with 1 :43.97; and in the final of the men’s 5,000, where the victory went to Grant Fisher with another championship record with 13:08.85 ahead of Adihamid Nur (13:09.01) and Parker Wolfe (13:10.75)

In the rest of the day’s finals, Daniel Haugh won in the hammer throw with 79.51 ahead of Rudy Winkler, second with 78.89, and Justin Stafford, third with 77.07. Meanwhile,in the women’s pole vault, the victory went to Bridget Williams, who had an immaculate contest up to 4.73, which allowed her to beat Katie Moon and Brynn King, who also left the bar at that mark although with previous errors.

In the men’s high jump event Shelby McEwen took the title after setting the bar at 2.30 and beating Caleb Snowden, second with 2.27, and Tyus Wilson, third with 2, 24, while in the men’s triple jump Salif Mane leapt on the last jump to 17.52 to beat Russell Robinson, second with 17.01, and Donald Scott, third with 16.87.

In the women’s javelin, a first throw of 64.58 by Maggie Malone Hardin allowed her to beat Kara Winger (second with 62.94) and Madison Wiltrout (third with 61.17).

Teenager Wilson to go to the Games

The last day of the Trials almost confirmed (in the absence of an official announcement) the presence at the Paris Olympic Games of promising youngster Quincy Wilson, aged just 16 years old, who already amazed in the 400 meter event where He finished sixth in the final of the test.

Joe Lee, the athlete’s coach, confirmed in statements to The Washington Post the presence of Wilson in the team of six athletes that will form the 4x400m relay in the Olympic Games.

If he participates in some of the races, he will become the youngest American athlete to compete in the event, surpassing the record set by Ed Ablowich, who did so at the age of 19 at the 1932 Los Angeles Games.