In the world of track and field, few names shine brighter than Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Known for redefining what’s possible in the 400m hurdles, the American superstar has stunned fans and experts alike by switching her focus from the event that made her a global icon to the flat 400m sprint. The decision came ahead of the 2024 US National Track and Field Championships — and judging by the results, it’s already paying off.
At this year’s US Nationals, McLaughlin-Levrone delivered a masterclass in speed and endurance, claiming gold in the women’s 400m with the composure of a seasoned veteran of the event. For many, it was confirmation that she can dominate without hurdles just as she has with them. But the bigger question remains: why would an athlete at the peak of her hurdling career — a reigning Olympic champion and world record-holder — step away from her strongest event?
The answer, as McLaughlin-Levrone has hinted, lies in a combination of strategic planning, athletic evolution, and the demands of maintaining peak performance across multiple seasons. While she has not completely ruled out returning to the 400m hurdles in the future, the 24-year-old explained that focusing on the flat 400m gives her a chance to develop new aspects of her sprinting and potentially extend her career at the highest level.
Physically, the 400m hurdles is one of the most punishing events in track and field. It demands not only blistering speed but also impeccable technique and rhythm over ten hurdles — all while sustaining an all-out sprint for a full lap. After setting a near-unthinkable world record of 50.68 seconds in 2022, McLaughlin-Levrone may have felt there was little left to prove in the short term, and that her body would benefit from a less technically taxing challenge.
There’s also the bigger picture to consider: the upcoming World Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Competing in the 400m now could open up new opportunities for medal contention in both individual and relay events. The US women’s 4x400m relay team is already a powerhouse, and adding McLaughlin-Levrone in her current form only strengthens their dominance.
At the World Championships later this year, she’s expected to line up in the flat 400m — a stage where she can test herself against the world’s best pure sprinters, including the likes of Marileidy Paulino and Natalia Kaczmarek. It’s a shift that could make her not just a hurdles legend, but a double-threat sprinting icon.
Looking ahead to the next Olympics, the strategic versatility could prove invaluable. If she returns to the hurdles, she’ll do so with sharper flat speed; if she sticks with the 400m, she’ll already have championship-level experience in the event. Either way, her rivals have been put on notice: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone isn’t just defending her legacy — she’s expanding it.
For fans, this change is a rare gift. We’re witnessing an athlete in her prime, willing to challenge herself in new ways while still chasing history. Whether it’s over hurdles or on the open track, one thing is certain — Sydney’s next lap will be worth watching.