The 400m hurdles world record holder and multiple Olympic champion can still compete in Brussels, but only in non-diamond league events.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levron, who had planned to cap off her incredible 2024 season by running the 200m and 400m at the Diamond League finals in Brussels, is “ineligible” to compete in both events, according to Diamond League chief executive Petr Stastny.
The 25-year-old won her second Olympic gold medal in the 400m hurdles in Paris, breaking her own world record of 50.37, and was also part of the US women’s 4x400m team that topped the podium.
However, any hopes of finishing his campaign in the Belgian capital this season could be dashed following Stastny’s comments.
In An email sent to Let’s runhe stated that “it’s not about whether a specific athlete can compete or not”, but about “the rules and standards that everyone has to meet in order to qualify for the WDL finals”.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s jurisdiction revolves around “global wild cards.”
Most athletes qualify for the Diamond League Finals by accumulating points, but they can also secure their spot through these wild cards.
Four global wild cards can be distributed to athletes and are designed to ensure that some of the best athletes in the world compete in the Diamond League Finals.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levron (Getty)
One athlete who benefited last year was Jacob Ingebrigtsen, who competed in the 3,000m in Eugene.
However, there are conditions that must be met for an athlete to qualify for that wild card.
According to the rules set by World Athletics for the Diamond League, an athlete must either compete in or score at least one Diamond League meet that season.
McLaughlin-Levron has not competed in the diamond since last July, when she ran 49.71 in the 400m in Paris.
Stastny added: “Ms. McLaughlin-Levron does not meet those criteria by earning enough points or receiving a wild card.
“The Diamond League Finals is not an invitational event and any athlete nominated for a global wild card must have competed in at least one of our events this season.”
McLaughlin-Levron could still finish his season in Brussels, but that could mean taking part in a non-diamond league event that typically has weaker fields.
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