Track and field fans were in for a treat at the Grand Slam Track meet in Philadelphia, where Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone took on an exciting new challenge: the 100m hurdles. Known globally for her dominance in the 400m hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone stepped into unfamiliar territory—her first professional 100m hurdles race—and held her own against a competitive field.
Despite being outside her comfort zone, Sydney impressed with a solid 5th place finish, clocking 12.70 seconds. While it may not seem groundbreaking compared to her world-record 400m hurdles runs, the performance was more than respectable given the technical and explosive nature of the short hurdles.
Her result earned her 4 points in the short hurdles group, enough to qualify her for today’s 100m flat sprint, scheduled for 4:18 PM ET (9:18 PM WAT). This will be her first 100m dash since her college days at Kentucky, marking a significant milestone in her evolving track career.
A New Chapter for a Track Icon
McLaughlin-Levrone’s move into sprint events comes with strategic preparation. She’s been training under the guidance of sprinting legend Trayvon Bromell, working hard to improve her start mechanics and explosive force from the blocks—skills that differ vastly from the rhythmic pacing of her signature event.
“I’m learning to tap into a different energy system,” Sydney said in a recent interview. “It’s about linear speed, raw power, and precision. It’s new—but I love it.”
What’s Next?
All eyes are on the track today as she lines up for the 100m flat. Whether this new sprint experiment becomes a staple in her athletic career or remains a brief detour, one thing is certain—Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is not afraid to test her limits.