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"I drive by the Coliseum at times and imagine" - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone excited for LA Olympics 2028 as she envisions competing on home soil
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has expressed her excitement for the 2028 Olympics, which are set to be held in the hurdler's 'backyard' in Los Angeles. The four-time gold medalist has featured in three Olympic Games so far.
McLaughlin-Levrone made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing as a semifinalist after failing to advance into the 400m hurdles final. She did make it to the final five years later in Tokyo. Along with winning the gold medal, she broke the world record in the event.
After successfully defending both her gold medal and world record in the 400m hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 25-year-old has set her sights on the 2028 Games and is excited for the special opportunity of competing in front of the home crowd. In an interview with the World Athletics, she said:
"It’s super-exciting to be able to have the Games in LA, where I’m training right now. I drive by the Coliseum at times and imagine what it is going to look like during the Olympics. I hope LA is going to be prepared for that moment. I know it will be. It’s a really special opportunity to have the Olympics in our backyard.”
McLaughlin-Levrone was named the 2024 Female Track Athlete of The Year following the impressive season that saw her lower the world record twice to an astonishing 50.37s. She also clocked the third-fastest 4x400m split in history to win her second gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
"Hurts a bit more" - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone makes bittersweet confession about running 400m flat
While Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is unmatched in the 400m hurdles, her prowess over the 400m flat is equally impressive. She is the second fastest American in history over the distance, and in her first 400m flat race last season, the 25-year-old clocked 48.75s, 0.05s off the American record.
However, McLaughlin-Levrone revealed that running over the hurdles was easier for her compared to flat-out running.
“The 400m flat almost hurts a bit more than the hurdles, to be honest. You’re going faster and you definitely feel that. But I think the open 400m is very helpful in terms of speed endurance, and it’s always very helpful to have those hurdles in your mind when you’re running it," she said during the aforementioned interview.
The four-time Olympic champion also suggested that she might compete in more 400m races in the 2025 track and field season.
“So they’re both great, and hopefully I will get some more opportunities next year to do some flat 400s," Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
The 25-year-old has signed with Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track for its inaugural season in 2025. While her events haven't been specified yet, she is expected to compete in the 400m-400m hurdles category.
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