Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone sets 400-meter hurdle world record at U.S. Olympic trials

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won the 400-meter hurdle final and set a world record for the event at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on Sunday.

McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning gold medalist and world No. 1, finished with a time of 50.65 seconds. Just over two seconds behind her were Anna Cockrell and Jasmine Jones.

As the top three finishers, all three secured a spot on the Olympic Team for the event, leading what could be one of America’s strongest events in Paris.

McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning gold medalist and world No. 1, barely broke a sweat in the semifinals Saturday with a 52.48-second effort to advance to the final Sunday at Hayward Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

An even-tempered McLaughlin-Levrone promised to “let it fly” in this meet’s last event.

McLaughlin kept the promise, crouching to the floor while covering her mouth in shock after seeing her record-breaking time.

Following the race, McLaughlin thanked God and said she was “amazed, baffled and in shock.”

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She was pushed by Cockrell, who recorded a personal best 52.95 in the semifinals to earn her spot in the final — and then bested that during the finals with a time of 52.64.

In contrast to McLaughlin-Levrone’s businesslike demeanor, Cockrell couldn’t contain her joy about breaking the 53-second mark for the first time.

“It means I’m ready,” she said. “It tells me what we’ve been working for in the past is working. I’m pleased, I’m pleased.”

The power-packed field in Sunday’s final also included Tokyo silver medalist Dalilah Muhammad and Shamier Little, who won her heat on Saturday.

After securing her Olympic spot in the 400-meter hurdles, second place finisher Cockrell said she was “emotional” but wanted to take the moment not to talk about herself but about Muhammad, who Cockrell said had “revolutionized” the event.

“The impact you’ve had on this sport goes beyond medals, goes beyond records,” Cockrell said.

Muhammad finished sixth in the event, missing out on a spot for it in Paris.

“Your grace, your poise, your competition, your mentorship of me — I can’t say thank you to ‘De’ enough,” Cockrell said. “I want to give her her flowers now.”

Tokyo silver medalist Keni Harrison, Rio silver medalist Nia Ali and Alaysha Johnson, who recorded the best semifinal time of 12.36 seconds, competed in the women’s 100 hurdles.

Harrison finished sixth and Ali finished fourth, missing out on a spot on the team for the event.

The 100-meter winner was world No. 17 Masai Russell, followed by Johnson and Grace Stark.

Rai Benjamin, who won silver in Tokyo, CJ Allen, and Trevor Bassitt clinched the spots for the men’s 400-meter hurdles.

Benjamin and Allen turned in the top two final times — a meet record of 46.46 and a 47.81, respectively. Bassitt clocked in at 47.82.