Where does Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's 200m timing rank against Gabby Thomas at the Paris Olympics? All about her performance at Brussels DL final

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ran the 200m in 22.40s in a special invitational race at the Brussels Diamond League. Her time would have placed her seventh in the 200m final standings at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the gold winner Gabby Thomas stopped the clock in 21.83s.

The 400m hurdles specialist couldn't compete at the Brussels Diamond League since she has not run enough races in the current season. The rules didn't even allow her to participate as a wildcard. On a good note, Memorial Van Damme sent a special invitation to the 25-year-old to compete in the 200m and 400m, but not as part of the Diamond League finals.

On September 13, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone soared past her rivals in the invitational 400m and won in a time of 49.11s. Her effort eclipsed Marileidy Paulino, who won the 400m in 49.45s at the Diamond League finals. The following day, the four-time Olympic medalist won the invitational 200m race in 22.40s. Her time would have placed her seventh in the 200m final standings at the 2024 Games.

Gabby Thomas won the 200m in 21.83s, Saint Lucian sprinter Julien Alfred trailed in 22.08s and Brittany Brown finished in bronze with 22.20s. Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain clinched fourth in 22.22s, Daryll Neita fifth in 22.23s, and Favor Ofili sixth in 22.24s. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone would have replaced fellow US sprinter McKenzie Long, who finished seventh in 22.42s.

The 25-year-old lowered her 400m hurdles world record for the sixth time, having 50.37s in the Olympic finals. She also took the 4x400m relay gold with her team members, Gabby Thomas, Shamier Little, and Alexis Holmes, in 3:15.27s. Their effort narrowly missed the world record mark set by the Soviet Union in 1988.

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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on running flat races - "These races keep me on my toes and help me with the hurdles"

Athletics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 15 - Source: Getty

After winning the invitational 200m and 400m races, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone admitted that the flat races prepare her for the hurdles.

"I'm sure we will [more of her in the flat races]. These races keep me on my toes and help me with the hurdles. I love challenging myself and seeing what's possible," she said to Olympics.com.

The Olympic gold medalist also expressed gratitude for the season and hinted at more achievements in the future.

"I am always striving for more but, at the end of the day, I'm walking away happy and healthy. With this season we did, I really can't complain. Plus, you have to leave something for the future," she added.

At the Memorial Van Damme 400m invitational, the four-time World medalist ran with full pants to safeguard her leg from cramps.