by Larry Eder
This is the story of that stunning new World Record in the Women’s 400m hurdles by Sydney McLaughlin.
On Day 8, Sydney McLaughlin had the entire of Hayward Field, all of 21,000 plus on their feet, willing on
the young American as she destroyed the World record, her very own of 51.40, set just a month ago, with her
stunning 50.68 new World Record!
Sydney McLaughlin went out strong, having told the media just after her semi-final that she would “leave it all on the track.”
And that she did.
Sydney McLaughlin was in complete control from the first steps, making up the staggers on all before the first 200 meters; she had a meter lead at 200 meters and up to 3 meters by the eighth hurdle.
Sydney McLaughlin ran 50.68, with Femke Bol, NED in silver in 52.27, over 1.5 seconds back.
Dalilah Mohammed, the 2019 World Champ and 2020 Tokyo Olympic silver, finished in bronze,
in 53.13.
Sydney said the following to the media:
“I am super grateful. All the glory goes to God, and I am just really thankful for my team helping me to get to this point. It all came together today and another medal for the Team USA. It was absolutely unreal to have my family in the stands. I have never had them together in one place. So this was for me so big. After Tokyo, not having anybody, this was like redemption. The time is absolutely amazing, and the sport is getting faster and faster. Just figuring out what barriers can be broken. I only get faster from here. I executed the race the way (coach) Bobby wanted me to. Ultimately, all the Glory goes to God. We knew warming up that it was going to be one of those days. We were ready and tried and go out there and execute. I knew coming home that if I just kept my cadence and stayed on stride pattern, we could do it, and it happened. It’s very special to push boundaries for myself, focusing on the 10 hurdles and being able to improve upon them; what else could I ask for. I am grateful to God. I can’t do anything without him. I wouldn’t be here without him. I can’t take any of the credit. I am really grateful to have a great support system and coach with me to push me toward what’s possible. I just need to do the work. The level in the 400m hurdles is certainly improving. We have a full group of girls that are willing to push our bodies to the next level, and we are seeing times drop. It’s really an exciting time to be at the event. I will need to ask my coach about our next goal. He calls the shots. I don’ smile till the job is done, till the last race is over with. I just stayed focused, in the zone. I am always happy, always grateful to be here, but sometimes you’ve got to put your game face on it and focus. That’s all that is. Having my friends and my family here, being in the same time zone as in LA. Sleeping on a bed that’s comfortable in an Airbnb. All that added together, eating food that I am familiar with. All of it played a role in my time today. I am just really happy that we got this opportunity here in front of this amazing crowd.”
The following is a mixed zone interview from EBU Radio. The video is the play by play from NBC Sports.
