At the American outdoor track and field championships on Saturday, Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin smashed her world record in the 400-meter hurdles.
When her time was called, McLaughlin grinned widely and gave a thumbs-up. She broke her record at Hayward Field, finishing in 51.41 seconds as opposed to the 51.46 she had set the year prior in the Tokyo Games, where she had won the gold medal.
“I mean it’s Track Town USA, what do you expect? she said afterward. “Every time I come here I can just feel something amazing is going to happen.”
When asked how she planned to celebrate afterward, McLaughlin made a joke about eating anything other than vegetables. “Like a cheeseburger or something, some pancakes.”
The top three finishers in each event at the national championships will compete for the US at the world outdoor championships, which will take place at Hayward Field in Eugene the following month. The largest non-Olympic track and field competition will take place for the first time on American territory.
Despite missing the race due to a minor injury, defending champion Dalilah Muhammad has already qualified for the global championships. Third-place finisher Shamier Little and second-place finisher Britton Wilson will also compete for the United States with McLaughlin.
In her final national championship event, the 400, Allyson Felix—the most decorated woman in track history—placed sixth.
The final months of Felix’s illustrious career, which has included 11 Olympic medals, are being enjoyed. She announced in April that this will be her last season. In August, she intends to compete in her last official race in her hometown of Los Angeles. Felix will likely make the mixed relay team at the worlds despite how she placed.
