Sometimes, the most compelling rivalries don’t come with pre-scripted hype or long-standing feuds. Sometimes, they erupt quietly—through performances, mutual respect, and a shared desire to be the absolute best. That’s exactly what’s brewing in the women’s 400m as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Salwa Eid Naser prepare for a potential showdown at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic on July 5. And make no mistake—this is the rivalry track fans didn’t know they needed until now.
It began with a quiet but telling line from McLaughlin-Levrone: “I’ve definitely got some work to do.” Coming from the reigning Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400m hurdles, that wasn’t an admission of weakness. It was a signal. A competitive spark. A warning. Because when an athlete as dominant and poised as Sydney acknowledges another sprinter’s time as the new benchmark, you know something big is on the horizon.
Enter Salwa Eid Naser.
After spending the last few seasons largely out of the spotlight, Naser returned in emphatic fashion. With a blistering 48.67—a 2024 world lead—she reminded the world why her name still echoes through 400m history. The Bahraini sprinter still holds the second-fastest time ever run over the distance, a jaw-dropping 48.14, and she’s clearly not done yet. Her resurgence has reenergized the 400m conversation, pulling it away from predictability and injecting it with tension and excitement.
Meanwhile, McLaughlin-Levrone has taken a bold step into unfamiliar territory. Known primarily for redefining the 400m hurdles, Sydney has embraced the flat 400m with remarkable intent this season. What began as a curiosity has turned into a serious campaign. Her 48.75 performance in New York—just a hair off her personal best—sent a clear message: she’s not just dabbling. She’s chasing greatness in multiple lanes.
But here’s where the rivalry deepens. McLaughlin-Levrone is not solely focused on the 400m. She’s balancing a complex training schedule that includes the 100m, 200m, and hurdles. It’s a hybrid workload few athletes can even dream of handling. Naser, in contrast, is laser-focused. The 400m is her domain, her comfort zone, her specialty. And it shows in the way she runs—with relentless power and unshakable rhythm. Sydney herself has acknowledged that the flat 400m “hurts a bit more”—a striking statement from someone who has made clearing ten hurdles at full speed look like ballet.
Still, if there’s one thing fans have learned about McLaughlin-Levrone, it’s that she doesn’t shy away from discomfort—she learns from it. She adapts. She’s a cerebral runner with an iron will, and her track record under pressure speaks volumes. This will be their third meeting on the track. The record stands at 1-1. But the stakes have never been higher, and both women are arguably at their peak.
The upcoming Prefontaine Classic isn’t just a race—it’s a reckoning. It’s a collision of philosophies, training styles, and pure athletic talent. Naser will bring the storm—raw, fast, and unforgiving. Sydney will bring the calm—methodical, technical, and calculated. By the time they enter the final straight, the entire stadium will be holding its breath.
In a sport that craves iconic duels, Sydney vs. Salwa may be the unexpected rivalry that defines a generation. And when they take to the track on July 5, one thing is certain: the world will be watching.