by Larry Eder
Sydney McLaughlin Levrone is the world record holder at the 400 m hurdles, Olympic champion, and World Champion at the same event. In 2023, Sydney has a bye to the World Championships in the 400-meter hurdles, although some say that she will probably not defend her title. Ato Bolden, Olympic medalist over 100m, 200m, WC at 200m, and now, NBC sports analyst, noted on NBC Sports last weekend that he does not believe that we will see Sydney competing over the hurdles this year.
Sydney ran her first flat 400 meters in Paris on June 9, 2023. She ran 49.76 after going out in a blazing 22.77 for the 200m and was caught by Marileidys Paulino of the Dominican Republic.
Sydney is quite capable, I believe, of breaking 48 seconds and, someday, destroying the WR of Marita Koch, who competed for East Germany (GDR) and, on October 5, 1985, ran 47.60 for the 400 meters, setting the current World Record. (The second fastest time ever was run by Jarmela Kratochvilova, who ran 47.99 in Helsinki in 1983.
Both are formidable times, but with Sydney McLaughlin Levrone’s talent and her WR 50.64 for the 400m hurdles, 47.5-47.9 looks like a possibility.
My three questions with Sydney on June 23 were about the 400 meters. Sydney was easy to talk with and she was very relaxed. I was able to also meet her husband, Minister Andre Levrone, Jr. former NFL player and minister. I enjoyed Andre and it was obvious, he is devoted to Sydney and they support each other, as well as their strong religious convictions, which obviously help Sydney and Andre stay focused.
On June 24, 2023, Syndey McLaughlin-Levrone won the 400m in 47.52, a new PB at the USATF NYC Grand Prix, a new PB. Sydney will compete at the USATF Champs over 400 meters from July 6-9, 2023.
Special thanks to Mike Deering on managing the production of the video.
