Sydney McLaughlin reveals details on rivalry with Femke Bol and staying undefeated in hurdles since 2019

Sydney McLaughlin reveals details on rivalry with Femke Bol and staying undefeated in hurdles since 2019

Festus Chuma 09:00 - 20.08.2024

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has continued her dominance in the 400m hurdles, maintaining an unbeaten streak since 2019 with strategic prowess.

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone at just 25 years old has not only broken world records but has also set a new standard in the 400m hurdles.

The American recent victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where she clocked an astonishing 50.37 seconds marked her sixth world record break and reaffirmed her dominance in the sport.

McLaughlin-Levrone's journey through the hurdles has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Since her last loss at the 2019 World Championships, she has maintained an unbeaten streak that is as much a testament to her mental strength as it is to her physical prowess.

Her approach to each race is meticulous focusing on perfection and treating every competition like a brand new challenge.

"It hasn't really fully hit me yet," McLaughlin-Levrone shared in a reflective moment with Olympics.com.

"Blessed, honestly. And excited. It's a surreal moment. But now an amazing, amazing opportunity. And I'm grateful."

This relentless pursuit of excellence is rooted in a philosophy of continuous improvement and an unyielding desire to push the boundaries of what is possible.

"I think the fact that there's always more that can be done .You know, there's always ways to improve. And I love trying to figure out what those are and push myself to try to break those barriers and boundaries," she explained.

Training under the legendary coach Bobby Kersee, McLaughlin-Levrone has refined her technique to near perfection.

The focus on her stride pattern and hurdle technique allows her to maintain her composure and speed throughout the demanding 400-meter distance.

This technical mastery, combined with her strategic approach to races, has been crucial in maintaining her unbeaten record.

"The open 400 is just a full-on sprint.But at least with the hurdles, I can think about something and have to work [on it]. There's certain things that kind of just distract you from the fact that you're running a 400. And I think that's why I love the hurdles," she siad.

The presence of a supportive crowd and her family at the Stade de France during the Paris Olympics also played a significant role in her performance.

Unlike the ghostly silence of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics the roar of some 70,000 fans fueled her race from start to finish.

"Oh my goodness, the crowd is amazing; it's so loud in there. The whole experience... just having friends and family here, getting to see their faces. ... I mean, this really feels like the first full Olympic moment for me," she recalled.

In the backdrop of her individual success, McLaughlin-Levrone's rivalry with Femke Bol has been one of the most captivating narratives in track and field.

Bol, the current world champion and a formidable competitor, has faced McLaughlin-Levrone three times, with each meeting intensifying the anticipation for the next.

Their encounters have not only highlighted McLaughlin-Levrone’s dominance but also underscored the high level of competition at the top of women’s hurdling.

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