Reigning Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is poised to make history as she prepares to defend her 400m hurdles gold medal on Thursday. With eyes on a record-breaking performance, the American track star is set to face a formidable field of challengers.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning Olympic champion in the women's 400m hurdles, is gearing up for an historic title defense on Thursday at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
McLaughlin-Levrone, 23, has been in dominant form this season, setting a new personal best and American record of 51.41 seconds in June. She is the clear favorite to win gold, but she will face a tough challenge from a field that includes reigning world champion Dalilah Muhammad and 2021 world silver medalist Femke Bol.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Gears Up for Historic 400m Hurdles Title Defense
McLaughlin-Levrone won the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo last year in a world record time of 51.46 seconds. She is aiming to become the first woman to successfully defend the 400m hurdles title at the World Championships since Sally Gunnell of Great Britain in 1993.
The 400m hurdles is one of the most demanding events in track and field, requiring athletes to run 400 meters while clearing 10 hurdles. McLaughlin-Levrone's remarkable speed and technique make her a formidable opponent.
McLaughlin-Levrone's main rival will be Muhammad, the 2019 world champion and 2020 Olympic silver medalist. Muhammad is also in good form this season, having run a personal best of 52.79 seconds.
Bol, the 2021 world silver medalist, is another contender. The Dutch athlete is a rising star in the sport and has run a personal best of 52.77 seconds this season.
Other challengers to McLaughlin-Levrone include Shamier Little of the United States, who won the bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships, and Janieve Russell of Jamaica, who has run a personal best of 53.08 seconds this season.
The 400m hurdles final will take place on Thursday, July 21 at 11:50 p.m. ET at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Here is a summary of the key details about the 400m hurdles final:
* **Who:** Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Dalilah Muhammad, Femke Bol, Shamier Little, Janieve Russell, and others
* **When:** Thursday, July 21 at 11:50 p.m. ET
* **Where:** Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon
* **TV:** NBC
* **Streaming:** fuboTV
