Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone stunned spectators in the U.S. Olympic team trials by breaking her world record in the 400-metre hurdles with a run of 50.65 seconds, earning her a ticket to Paris.
She warmed hearts, too, by honouring her longtime opponent, Dalilah Muhammad, with a touching Instagram story. The two athletes’ great sportsmanship and mutual respect were underscored by this heartfelt gesture.
After her record-breaking performance, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone shared a heartfelt homage to Dalilah Muhammad on Instagram.
“You’ve altered the rules, as Anna put it so well. I appreciate you pushing myself and so many others to perform at our highest level,” McLaughlin was quoted as saying by essentially sports.
Dalilah Muhammad compliments Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
A trailblazer on track and field and Rio 2016 winner Dalilah Muhammad recently declared that her career would end with her sixth-place performance at the U.S. trials.
Muhammad continues to be a prominent presence in the sport, even if she is unable to make it to Paris. Her decision is poignantly marked by the fact that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s extraordinary accomplishments cast a shadow over hers.
“Throughout, she has been nothing short of incredible. I continue to believe she can reach 49 [seconds]. She is a gifted individual who will last a generation,” Muhammad was quoted as saying.
Given that McLaughlin-Levrone has a history of shattering 400-metre hurdle records, Muhammad’s endorsement of her is notable. With a run time of 52.20 seconds in 2019, Muhammad broke the 16-year-old world record and set a new benchmark.
She continued to push the boundaries of this record later in the year, proving her unwavering dedication to greatness. “We went from being an event that wasn’t even thought about to being the premier event, to close out the Olympic trials,” Muhammad said, reflecting on the event’s evolution.
That alone is quite remarkable. Her remarks emphasize how competitors like McLaughlin-Levrone, who set an astounding time of 50.65 seconds at the U.S. trials, and Muhammad herself have transformed the 400-metre hurdles.