Sydney McLaughlin immediately made a big impression at her first game of the athletics season. The American competitor of Femke Bol ran the third time ever in the 400 meters hurdles in Nashville.
McLaughlin, 22, set a top time of 51.61 seconds on the Vanderbilt University track. This made her only fifteen hundredths slower than the world record with which she became Olympic champion for the first time in Tokyo last year (51.46).
Dalilah Muhammad raced to the second time ever in that Olympic final in the Japanese capital (51.58). Bol took bronze in a Dutch record of 52.03. That is now the fifth fastest time ever.
McLaughlin became the first woman to run under 52 seconds in the 400 hurdles last June by clocking in Eugene 51.90.
The athlete from New Jersey will be one of Bol’s major competitors at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene (July 15-24) next month. McLaughlin finished second in the 400 hurdles three years ago at the previous World Cup, behind Muhammad.
The 22-year-old Bol will run her first game of the year over 400 meters hurdles at the FBK Games in Hengelo on Monday. The Dutch proved last week that she is in shape by setting a world record in the 300 meter hurdles, a distance that is rarely run.
Fastest times ever on 400 meters hurdles
- 1. Sydney McLaughlin: 51.46 (4/8-2021)
- 2. Dalilah Muhammad: 51.58 (4/8-2021)
- 3. Sydney McLaughlin: 51.61 (6/5/2022)
- 4. Sydney McLaughlin: 51.90 (6/27/2021)
- 5. Femke Bol: 52.03 (4-8-2021)
Sydney McLaughlin (center) was on the podium together with Femke Bol (right) at the Games last year
Sydney McLaughlin (center) was on the podium together with Femke Bol (right) at the Games last year Photo: AFP