Sydney McLaughlin shows strong form in opening round win in 400m hurdles at U.S. Trials; Rai Benjamin into semis, too
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's quest for back-to-back Olympic golds is officially underway.
The reigning Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400m hurdles began her quest toward the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Thursday (27 June) at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - track & field at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Winner at Tokyo 2020 in 2021, McLaughlin-Levrone is attempting to become the first woman to win the event at back-to-back Games, where she'll likely face Dutch rival Femke Bol.
Thursday marked just the second time she's ran the 400m hurdles this season, her 53.07 well clear of the second-fastest time of the day from Anna Cockrell, who crossed the line at 54.71. Shamier Little, who made the 400m flat final in the first half of Trials, was third overall at 54.93.
Rio 2016 champion, the silver medallist in Tokyo, Dalilah Muhammad, is also into the semis with a 55.51.
McLaughlin-Levrone ran a 52.70 last month in Atlanta to turn in a world lead time, which was bettered by Bol on 11 June at the European Championships with a 52.49.
"[That] felt good," she said on NBC. "I'm honestly excited to be out here and shake off the nerves. My stride pattern felt good. Just getting the feel of the rounds again; I really feel good."
McLaughlin-Levrone had plenty of attention to detail in her opening-round race, attacking the hurdles with both lead legs. She's said that's a detail she's not only aware of but focuses in on.
"The hurdles don't move... but you can still hit one; something can go wrong," she said, laughing. "I always have to work on that. I want to be as strong on my left as I am on my right."
In Eugene, the women have Friday (28 June) off, with the semi-finals set for Saturday (29 June) and the finals on Sunday (30 June).
In the men's 400m hurdles, reigning Olympic silver medallist Rai Benjamin easily won his heat, too, clocking a 49.56. He was the third best of the day, with Caleb Dean (49.45) and Chris Robinson (49.56) as the two top finishers.
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