Is Femke Bol a threat to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's title defense at Paris Olympics? Exploring the highly anticipated clash after her 400m hurdles PB

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol have both enjoyed great runs in their build-up to the Olympic Games but one question remains, who will carry the day on the Olympic stage?

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has struggled with a niggling injury since 2023 but her comeback has been nothing short of phenomenal. Due to her injury, the American did not defend her title at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

In 2023, she also raced the 400m flat and the 60m. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone finished second at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris before winning the USATF New York Grand Prix and the U.S. Championships.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone announced her return this season, racing her first 400m Hurdles of the season at the HBCU Pro Classic before shutting down the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon with a world record at the U.S. Olympic trials.

She cruised to the semifinal after clocking 53.07 to win the preliminaries before striking a world-leading time of 52.48 in the semifinal.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was not done as she recorded a world record time of 50.65 in the final, destroying her previous world record of 50.68 that she set during the 2022 World Championships in the same stadium.

However, she faces a stern test in her quest for Olympic glory, going into the race as the defending champion after winning the race in 51.46.

Femke Bol has been impressive in the previous two seasons and she also has plans to extend her winning streak. Bol will be McLaughlin-Levrone’s greatest opponent at the Olympics and a historic showdown awaits in the women’s 400m Hurdles.

With the absence of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Bol claimed top honors at the World Championships in Budapest, in a season where she also had an unbeaten run, competing in nine races.

Bol completed her season with a Diamond League Meeting final win, claiming the top prize at the Prefontaine Classic and walking away with the final trophy. This season as well, Bol has been impressive.

The Dutch woman opened her season with a win at the Diamond League Meeting in Stockholm where she took top honors. She was flawless at the European Championships, claiming top honors in 52.49.

Bol’s recent performance at the Résisprint International in Switzerland is what has gotten people talking. She clocked 50.95 to win the race and seemingly fire warning shots at Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

The time Bol clocked is the European Record, Dutch national record, third-fastest performance in history, and personal best time. With the time clocked, Bol is now only the second woman to break the 51-second barrier.

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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone sends strong statement to her rivals after shattering world record at U.S. Olympic trials

2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field - Day 10

After shattering the 400m Hurdles world record, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone sent a warning to her rivals who plan to dethrone her at the Paris Olympic Games.

The 24-year-old broke her own record for the fifth time, stopping the clock at a stunning 50.65 to shatter her previous record of 50.68.

The defending Olympic champion, however, has plans to run under 50 seconds but did not specify the time she would like to attempt the record-breaking performance.

"I would love to dip under 50 at some point. I don’t know if that’s this year or if that’s next year. Just always chipping away, seeing what’s possible, and continuing to improve the race," McLaughlin-Levrone told FloTrack.

She added:

"There are so many different ways to run it and I feel like every time I’m on the track, I’m figuring out what’s the best way."

She had only raced one 400m Hurdles race before the trials and her performance is a statement of intent. McLaughlin-Levrone goes to the Olympics as one of the world’s stars, owning seven of the 10 fastest times in history over the distance.