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Sydney McLaughlin-Levron broke her own world record at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
CNN
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Sydney McLaughlin-Levron broke the 400-meter hurdles world record for the fifth time on Sunday, clocking 50.65 seconds. US Olympic Trials.
The 24-year-old took 0.03 seconds off her previous record, set two years ago at Eugene’s Hayward Field, and earned a spot on the U.S. team in the process. Paris Olympics.
Running in fifth lane, McLaughlin-Levron took the lead with 250 meters to go and opened up a large lead as he raced down the home straight.
She finished second almost two seconds ahead of Anna Cockrell, who gasped with a look of disbelief on her face as she crossed the line.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect that time,” McLaughlin-Levron He later told reportersAdding: “Knowing that there’s more and there’s a lot to fix will boost confidence going into Paris.”
Despite only competing in the 400-meter hurdles once this year ahead of the U.S. trials, McLaughlin-Levron advanced to Sunday’s final in her heats.
She will head into the Paris Olympics as one of the stars of the US team and a strong favorite to defend her title from three years ago, while Dutch athlete Femke Pol will provide strong competition.
Cockrell and Jasmine Jones completed the podium at the US trials with personal-best times of 52.64 and 52.77 to qualify for the Paris Games.
“I want to get down to 50 at some point,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “I don’t know if it will be this year or next year. Always chip in, see what’s possible, and keep improving the bet.
“There are so many ways to run it, and every time I go down the trail, I feel like I’m figuring out what the best way is.”
McLaughlin-Levrone now holds seven of the 10 fastest times in history in the 400m hurdles, while four of her five world records were set at Hayward Field.
In the men’s category, Roy Benjamin clocked a test record of 46.46 as he looks to bounce back from Norway’s silver medal win. Karsten Warholm At the Tokyo Olympics. CJ Allen and Trevor Bassitt made the team after finishing second and third respectively.
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