Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Runs Fastest Women's 400m in Four Decades at World Championships

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone stunned the athletics world by winning the women's 400 meters at the World Championships with a historic time of 47.78 seconds, the fastest in four decades and the second fastest ever recorded. Having recently transitioned from her primary event, the 400-meter hurdles, where she holds multiple world records, McLaughlin-Levrone's victory marked her first global gold in the flat 400m, showcasing her exceptional versatility and athletic prowess. Her closest competitor, Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, finished second with a remarkable 47.98 seconds, becoming the third fastest woman ever in the event. McLaughlin-Levrone is considering competing in both the 400-meter hurdles and the 400-meter sprint in future competitions if scheduling allows, an ambition supported by her coach and inspired by previous Olympic athletes who managed such feats. The race, held under challenging weather conditions in Tokyo, highlighted not only McLaughlin-Levrone's speed but also her tactical discipline and endurance, qualities honed from her hurdling background. Her performance is widely regarded as a defining moment in women's track and field, signaling a new era of dominance across multiple sprint events.