As part of his custom, Bobby Kersee ducked into a taxi and was returning to the hotel by the time the 400-meter race at world championships was beginning. He’s never been one to watch his star athletes race in person, because once they get to the starting line, he feels his work is finished.

Soon after his departure, the legendary track coach received the phone call he knew would be coming — his prized protégé, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the 400-meter hurdler who’s now mixing in the 400, was a gold medalist.

Not even her time was a surprise, as she became the first woman in nearly 40 years to break the 48-second barrier on Thursday at worlds in Tokyo. She finished the historically fast race in a blistering 47.78 seconds.

It’s exactly what they trained for. It’s precisely what they expec

See Full Page