"There's so much time to do that"- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone still determined to break Sanya Richards-Ross' 400m American record

American athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone recently expressed her determination to break the 400m American record by Sanya Richards-Ross from 2006. Although the two-time Olympian stunned the world with her win at Sunday’s NYC Grand Prix, she expressed it was not what she had hoped for.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is the reigning 400m hurdles Olympic gold medalist. In fact, at the world championship in 2022 in Eugene, the athlete set the world record with her time of 50.68s.

In June 2023, the athlete made her professional debut in the flat 400m race at the Diamond League in Paris where she came second by clocking 49.71s.

McLaughlin-Levrone anchored the world lead by clocking 48.74 seconds at the USATF Championships. On June 9, the athlete competed in the 400m race at the NYC Grand Prix and clocked a winning 48.75s. However, she craved more from her performance.

During a quick interview with FloTrack, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was asked to reflect on her performance. She replied,

"Yeah first 400m of the year. It felt good. Wasn't exactly what we are hoping for but sometimes you just got to feel the race so I'll take that."

McLaughlin-Levrone also mentioned that she desired to surpass legendary athlete Sanya Richards-Ross’s 48.70s from 2006, but missed it by five seconds.

Ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, her timing was recorded as the third-fastest 400m in American history. Furthermore, the three-time world champion gold medalist explained that the race was all about learning,

"So close but you know what, it's all good. There's so much time to do that. And that's just about refining it and learning the race."

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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on the possibility of breaking her own 400m hurdles record

McLaughlin-Levrone at 2024 USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix

On May 21, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made her seasonal 400m hurdles debut at the Edwin Moses Legends Meet. She won the event by clocking an impressive 52.70s.

After the championship, McLaughlin-Levrone reflected on the possibility of going sub-50s.

The athlete told Run Blog Run that breaking her world record of 50.68s was all about ‘progression.’ She added,

“I know that the numbers are possible but it's a matter of getting there and I think people don't understand as an athlete you're not gonna come out of the gates ready to do that all the time.”

McLaughlin-Levrone further added that the human body is “not actually meant to push this hard.” However, while pushing the limits, she wishes to stay healthy.