The 400m hurdles world record holder is looking to improve on his 200m and 400m PBs in the Belgian capital this weekend.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levron will make her first and only appearance since her Olympic victory at the Brussels Diamond League on September 13-14.
Despite not taking part in the main Diamond League programme, organizers of the Van Damme Memorial have organized “two special races” to celebrate the 25-year-old’s achievements, including her world record in the 400m hurdles in Paris.
The American is not eligible for a global wild card for the main program because she has not competed in any of the matches this season.
Brussels will be her first competition since her record performance in Paris, clocking 50.37 to take the 400m hurdles crown. She also won another gold medal in the women’s 4x400m for Team USA before earning a break.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levron (Getty)
“I went to Greece with my husband for a week’s vacation,” McLaughlin-Levron said. “It was necessary after those fantastic Olympic Games, on which I worked for so long.
“I feel extremely grateful for what I was able to experience in Paris. After that we went back to Los Angeles. But as I still feel fresh physically and mentally, I wanted to play one more match to finish the season.”
Although McLaughlin-Levron is primarily known for her dominance in the hurdles, she is also one of the fastest American athletes over 400m.
With a personal best of 48.74 set at Hayward Field last July, she aims to lower that time in Brussels and possibly break the current US record of 48.70 held by Sania Richards-Ross.
Expanding beyond the 400m, he is also a 200m competitor. Her last 200m was in Los Angeles in May, where she ran a personal best of 22.07.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levron (Getty)
“My goal is to improve my personal records,” McLaughlin-Levron said. “I started my season this spring in the 200m and 400m and now I’d like to finish with them as well, evaluate where I stand now in those distances after focusing on the 400m hurdles for a whole year.
“My season always revolves around the majors, and I’ve built my plan around those with my coach, Bob Kersey.
“Besides, I already have to be in top shape at the US trials to be allowed to compete in the Olympics at all. So, participating in intercontinental meetings is not obvious, transcontinental travel is quite tiring.
“My coach told me a lot of good things about the memorial tournament. I’m really looking forward to giving my best here on Friday and Saturday and finishing my season in style.”
As the season draws to a close, McLaughlin-LeVron is already setting her sights on 2025, with the World Championships in Tokyo the main focus for the world’s athletes.
After missing the 2023 World Championships in Budapest due to a knee injury, he wants to challenge for the world title. In her absence, Femke Boal of the Netherlands won the 400m hurdles in 51.70.
In Paris this year, McLaughlin-Levron beat Ball, who finished third in 52.15, leaving the course visibly disappointed. Their rivalry will resume next year and both athletes are eager to meet each other again.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levron (Getty)
McLaughlin-Levron was also the first athlete to sign with Michael Johnson’s new Grand Slam running league. She is expected to compete in both the 400m hurdles and 400m flat events at the four Slams, one of which will be hosted in her hometown of Los Angeles.
“The World Championships will take place in mid-September,” McLaughlin-Levron said. “Maybe it will open up more opportunities to run in Europe, but we’ll see.
READ MORE. Brussels Diamond League preview
“It (the Grand Slam circuit) is definitely in my plans. One of the meetings will take place in Los Angeles, my hometown and also the host city of the 2028 Olympic Games. I absolutely want to be a part of it.
“The atmosphere of Paris was indescribable. I’m looking forward to experiencing it in Los Angeles as well.”
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