Olympic 400m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin has made her intentions known regarding the upcoming season.
The 200m race in the United States has been dominated by Gabby Thomas on recent years, making the specialty her own.
So fast has Gabby Thomas come over the distance such that no American female has dared to come closer. In fact, Thomas is currently the reigning national and world champion in 200m, thanks to her impressive performances in the recent past.
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In 2024, her goal heading to the Olympics was to dominate and she did exactly that. She cruised to victory in 200m in a time of 21.83 seconds. Her personal best stands at 21.60 seconds clocked at the USATF Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Justin Gatlin has paid homeage to Usain Bolt for reviving his sprinting career after getting back into the sport in 2010.
But with the 2025 season here with us, her dominance over the distance in the USA might just be at the verge of collapse. A new athlete is rising up and is ready to challenge Gabby Thomas. That athlete is none other than American hurdle sensation Sydney McLaughlin- Levrone.
Many people identify Sydney with hurdles but she is truly talented across multiple disciplines and she has revealed her intention to step into the 200m this season. Sydney is coming off an incredible performance from the Paris Olympics where she set a new world record in the 400m hurdles with a blistering 50.37 seconds.
Although she is a star in the hurdles, she’s not limiting herself to the hurdles alone. Instead, she’s planning to step out of her comfort zone and reveal bit by bit her immense potential on track. “I can run the 400m, I can run the 200m, I can run the short hurdles, I can run the one. I think you guys will see a little bit of all of it,” she said.
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Incoming Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will get to work with the man he had selected as assistant after his current cut ties with him.
In fact, soon, the track community will see her back on track. Sydney McLaughlin is expected to make her debut at the Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track League. Thomas has also signed with the event and the running world will finally see the pair face off for the first time. This is turning out to be an exciting season for sure.
Just last year, Sydney revealed her immense potential over 200m when she competed over the 200m at the finals of the Diamond League finals in Brussels, winning the race in 22.40 seconds. If Sydney means business to race the 200m this season, then you can be sure that Gabby has got a new challenger.