Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has rewritten records in the 400m hurdles six times, lowering barriers no woman had touched before. This year she stepped into unfamiliar territory by leaving the barriers behind, entering the 400m flat as a full-season pursuit. That gamble ended with a resounding statement in Tokyo on September 18, where she won the World Championship title in 47.78 seconds, the fastest time by any woman in four decades and a new championship record. It was also the second-fastest mark in history, behind only Marita Koch’s long-standing 47.60 from 1985.

The immediate question now is what direction she will take heading toward Los Angeles 2028. McLaughlin-Levrone made clear after her Tokyo win that she is weighing a double challenge if the Olympic timetable allows. “We will ne

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