ATLANTA, GA — Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made an impressive start to her 400m hurdles season, setting a world-leading time of 52.70 seconds at the 2024 Edwin Moses Classics in Atlanta on Friday, May 31st.
McLaughlin-Levrone, who last competed in the 400m hurdles in August 2022 when she set the world record of 50.68 seconds en route to claiming gold at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, was in complete dominance here today.
The 24-year-old, who was targeting the Olympic qualifying time of 54.85 secs, surged ahead early in the race, securing a substantial lead over her competitors before powering home to achieve the ninth-fastest time of her career.
Her previous performances in the 200m races, notably a personal best of 22.07 seconds, hinted at her potential for a strong showing in Atlanta. Despite limited hurdles practice, McLaughlin-Levrone showed that she will be ready to secure a spot on the U.S. team to the Paris 2024 Games.
“It’s a progression,” she said in reference to her season opener in her specialty. “Shaking the rust off after two years, I’ll take a 52.70. She admits that she still has “things to work on. We haven’t had much hurdles practices so there’s alot to improve.”
Finished second to McLaughlin-Levrone on Friday was Michelle Smith of the British Virgin Islands, who ran a time of 55.96 seconds, followed by Grace Claxton of Puerto Rico in third with 56.26 seconds.
Additionally, at the event, former LSU NCAA champion Terrance Laird won the men’s 200m in 20.30 seconds, while Audrey Leduc set a Canadian national record of 22.36 seconds in the women’s race, outpacing Tamari Davis of the USA (22.39 seconds).
Vashti Cunningham of the USA secured victory in the women’s high jump, clearing 1.90m.
Click here for complete results
