Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who only started running the 400-meter flat this year after switching from the 400 hurdles, made the move pay off with a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships.
McLaughlin-Levrone set a world championships record with a time of 47.78 seconds — the fastest time in 40 years — to beat a charging Marileidy Paulino to the finish line on Thursday night.
“It’s amazing, it’s an honor,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “I knew there were a lot of people doubting me with making the switch from 400-meter hurdles to the flat 400 meters, but ultimately, I had faith in my training. I knew I had it in me. It was just a matter of time. I knew this feeling was going to be amazing.”
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone runs second-fastest time ever to win 400-meter world title
