Two-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone furthered her legendary status on Sunday when she set a new world record in the 400-meter hurdles, beating the runner-up by two seconds at the U.S. Olympic Trials final in Eugene, Oregon, to once again qualify for the Summer Olympics.
The 24-year-old McLaughlin-Levrone blew away the competition with a new world record time of 50.65 seconds, beating runner-up Anna Cockrell by nearly two seconds and third-placed Jasmine Jones by 2.12 seconds, with all three qualifying for the Paris Olympics.
McLaughlin-Levrone looked shocked as she crossed the finish line.
“Praise God,” she told NBC in a nationally broadcast interview, “I never expected this, but God can do anything. With Christ, anything is possible. So I’m just really surprised and confused and shocked.”
This isn’t the first time McLaughlin-Levrone has stunned the athletics world — in fact, this was her fifth world record in an event she won at the Tokyo Olympics (her other gold medal came in the 400-meter relay in Tokyo).
Amazingly, her time was faster than the four runners in the women’s 400m flat final — in other words, faster than the four runners who would have run if there had been no obstacle course.
In a non-televised interview, McLoughlin-Levrone told media members that she hopes to one day run the 400m hurdles in under 50 seconds.
“I’d like to get under 50 one day,” she said.
When asked what her first reaction was upon crossing the finish line, she replied, “I thank God for letting me finish the race.”
“Praise God.”
Sports Spectrum Magazine Cover Girl translator She broke new records on her way to the competition and gave glory to the Lord. #ParisOlympics. pic.twitter.com/Kx64is7EXp
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) July 1, 2024
McLaughlin Levrone is known for her devout Christian faith. She is the author of this book. Beyond Gold: From Fear to FaithIn her new interview, she talks about her life, career and faith. Earlier this year, she Sports Spectrum Podcast She talks about her faith: She and her husband, Andre, attend a Bible study group at UCLA during the offseason.
“I hope this book will intrigue people and make them want to know more about Jesus,” she said of the book.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Patrick Smith/Staff
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
