The women’s 400m hurdles was hyped as a historic race. However, Sydney McLauglin-Levrone shattered the world record with an incredible time of 50.37. Anna Cockrell also impressed with a brilliant time of 51.87. Femke Bol, on the other hand, struggled in third place with a time of 52.15.
Our senior writer for Europe, Stuart Weir, tried to analyze this intriguing race at the Stade de France.
The women’s 400h showcased exceptional performances but lacked the excitement of a classic race.
Witnessing the women’s 400m hurdles at the Stade de France was a special moment. Despite witnessing a world record performance by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the race didn’t live up to its full potential. The showdown between McLaughlin and Bol had promised much but fell short due to Bol’s underperformance.
McLaughlin-Levrone, who shaved off nearly three-tenths of a second from her own world record set at the US trials, continues to dominate major championship finals.
In her post-race comments, McLaughlin-Levrone expressed gratitude for her health and the record-breaking performance. She acknowledged the anticipation leading up to the race and the significance of running in the Olympics.
On the other hand, Bol admitted to underperforming in the final race and expressed disappointment at her lactic acid buildup. Despite winning the bronze, she felt she did not deliver her best race.
The contrasting approaches to competition between McLaughlin and Bol raise questions about race preparation and performance.
Additionally, speculation about the impact of Bol’s extensive race schedule leading up to the Olympics suggests fatigue may have played a role in her performance.
Looking ahead to LA 2028, McLaughlin’s lighthearted response suggests a focus on living in the moment rather than planning too far ahead.
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