Tokyo Olympics: Sydney McLaughlin sets world record, grabs gold in 400-meter hurdles

TOKYO — Sydney McLaughlin of the United States set a world record in the women’s 400-meter hurdle final en route to a gold medal Wednesday at the Tokyo Games.

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Photos: Sydney McLaughlin wins gold in 400-meter hurdles at Tokyo Olympics Gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin, of the United States, poses during the medal ceremony for the women's 400-meter hurdles at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

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McLaughlin, 21, of Los Angeles, broke her own record in the event, finishing the race in 51.46 seconds. That broke the mark of 51.90 she set on June 26 during the U.S. Olympic team trials in Eugene, Oregon.

McLaughlin topped teammate Dalilah Muhammad, who won the silver medal in a personal best time of 51.58. Femke Bol of the Netherlands took the bronze in 52.03.

McLaughlin broke Muhammad’s record in the 400-meter hurdles during the Olympic trials, ESPN reported.

McLaughlin and Muhammad have been trading the record, and the wins, for two years. Muhammad first broke the mark at the U.S. Nationals in 2019, according to The Associated Press. Then she lowered her time to 52.16, at the world championships in Doha.

McLaughlin’s record-breaking run at the Olympic trials made her the first woman to break the 52-second mark, according to the AP.

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