McLaughlin-Levrone joins Paris DL 400m field

PARIS, (22 May) – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the current world record holder in the women’s 400m hurdles, is set to challenge herself in a different discipline as she competes in the 400m flat race at the upcoming Meeting de Paris in the Wanda Diamond League. The highly anticipated event will take place at the Charlety stadium and will feature a star-studded lineup of American athletes.

McLaughlin-Levrone made headlines last year when she improved her own world record in the 400m hurdles, clocking an impressive time of 50.68 seconds in Oregon. This time is highly competitive even in a flat 400m race without the usual 10 barriers.

Although she has focused primarily on the hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone expressed her excitement about returning to the 400m flat race, a discipline she hasn’t competed in since her college days. In 2018, she recorded her personal best time of 50.07 seconds in the event.

Reflecting on her versatility, the American commented last year, “There’s still so much to be done in the 400m hurdles, but I also haven’t run the 400m truly competitively since college, so there’s room for improvement there.”

Her commitment to excellence was recognized when she was named World Athlete of the Year. Read more: McLaughlin-Levrone, Duplantis headline Brussels Diamond League field

Aside from her return to the 400m flat race, the Meeting de Paris also marks McLaughlin-Levrone’s comeback to the Diamond League circuit. Her last appearance in the prestigious one-day series was in 2019.

Meanwhile, among her competitors at the Charlety stadium is Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, the Olympic and world silver medallist in the women’s 400m. Paulino, with a personal best of 48.99 seconds, claimed the Diamond Trophy in the discipline last year.

Demonstrating her prowess, Paulino won the 400m races at Diamond League meetings in Doha, Rabat, Lausanne and Zurich last year, and also clinched the top spot at the Meeting de Paris in 2021.

McLaughlin-Levrone, who holds the Olympic and world titles in the 400m hurdles, will join fellow US track and field stars, including Noah Lyles, Grant Holloway, Devon Allen, Katie Moon, and Sandi Morris, in what promises to be a thrilling competition.

The meeting will also showcase top-class pole vault clashes, a discus throw by Olympic champion Valarie Allman, and a highly anticipated showdown in the 400m hurdles featuring Olympic and world silver medallist Rai Benjamin.

Information from the Diamond League