PHILADELPHIA — Olympic 400m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone turned heads on Sunday at the Philly Grand Slam Track event by clocking 12.70 seconds in the women’s 100m hurdles, a rare appearance in the event for the world-record holder.
While McLaughlin-Levrone is best known for her dominance in the 400m hurdles — where she holds the world record of 50.68 — Sunday’s race marked a notable foray into the shorter hurdle discipline. Her time of 12.70, though not a personal best, is impressive for someone primarily focused on longer distances.
The race adds another layer to the 24-year-old’s versatile résumé, fueling speculation about potential multi-event participation or sharpened speed work ahead of the U.S. Olympic Trials later this month.
Her performance comes amid rising anticipation for her return to the 400m hurdles, where she has not yet competed this season. Nevertheless, her sprint hurdle appearance signals she’s in strong form and ready for high-stakes competition.
McLaughlin-Levrone, calm and composed post-race, told reporters she was pleased with her performance and is using these early races to fine-tune race rhythm and execution.
“I’m just taking it meet by meet,” she said. “The goal is always to grow and challenge myself.”
With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, track fans worldwide will be watching closely to see how McLaughlin-Levrone builds toward what could be another record-breaking summer.