What a time to be a Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone fan, right? It’s a fan’s dream to see her set a sixth 400m hurdles world record and put Team USA in control with her anchor leg on the 4x400m relay. In fact, her followers only had one request: see her on the tracks more frequently than simply at mega meets, and who knows, that request was also granted. On September 3, the four-time Olympic champion revealed her final performance of the season at the Brussels Diamond League, which marked the end of the series.
While McLaughlin-Levrone’s comeback is a game changer for those who have been waiting for it, there has been some reaction. Her wildcard participation into the Diamond League finals was called into question due to a basic regulation that stipulates, “the athlete must have competed in at least one Diamond League meeting during the season.” McLaughlin-Levrone’s entry has generated concerns because she does not match the criteria for a worldwide wildcard. On the other hand, her loyal admirers, known as “SML loyalists,” are delighted to see her compete in the 200m sprint.
Sydney’s 200-meter curveball caught the track world off guard.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone used the term “wildcard” literally when she announced her return to the Diamond League circuit—but just for the final showdown. On September 13, she will compete in the 400m race, followed by the 200m the following day. The hurdles specialist’s decision to do flat events has stunned her followers. But, given the prevailing notion that she was done for the season after Paris, who can really complain? If anything, this demonstrates McLaughlin-Levrone’s willingness to broaden her competitive repertoire.
Here’s a fascinating fact: between 2018 and this season, McLaughlin-Levrone had not competed in the 200m sprint, effectively pausing that distance for quite some time. Then, in an unexpected turn of events, she astonished the track world by competing in the 200m dash at the 2024 LA Grand Prix in May, where she set a personal best of 22.07 seconds. This effort outperformed Gabby Thomas, the current Olympic champion, who finished sixth with a slower time of 22.68 seconds.
“I feel great. “I adore sprint races; I love shorter races,” she admitted after winning in Los Angeles. She continued, “For the second 200, I thought it was very respectable.” But this time, the stage is far more serious than a feel-good race. The athlete appears to be on a mission of her own. However, fans appear to be certain that she will win.
Just a few days ago, track and field fans speculated that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone might compete in the 200m at the Tokyo World Championships the following season. Well, with this turn of events, this seems fairly feasible. First things first. Currently, supporters are ecstatic to see Sydney in Brussels. One of them commented, “I’ve never seen her race a 200 before. “This will be entertaining to watch.”
What are your thoughts on Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s move in the 200m? Was it a daring one or a step too far?
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s latest 200m sprint occurred in 2018 at the Gainesville Florida Relays, when she finished first in 22.39 seconds. She returned to the format in 2024, at the Occidental Invitational in Los Angeles, where she finished first again. This was followed by a second place finish at the LA Grand Prix. A fan reminisced, “And she ran into a headwind, ugh it’s over for them🙁😂.” The ‘them’ here could refer to McLaughlin-Levrone’s competitors.
A third fan commented, “Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is now smoking elite runners at 200m,” indicating that she will not accept defeat as an option. Furthermore, her 22.07 200m sprint time is the eighth quickest this year, suggesting that she may outpace some of the top 200m runners. McLaughlin-Levrone, who is tied with Dina Asher-Smith at 22.07, has outpaced Tamari Davis, Tamara Clark, and Daryll Neita this year. Furthermore, she is faster than Jamaican standout Shericka Jackson, who has yet to run slower than 22.29 seconds this year following the Jamaican trials.
In fact, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s timing falls just a few hundred seconds short of Abby Steiner, Brittany Brown, and Sha’Carri Richardson’s season bests this year. Given that she drops below 22, it appears to be a manageable effort. As a result, a fan comments, “Based on the present field, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is more likely to win the 200m at the Diamond League Final than the 400m.”
However, Gabby Thomas’s form has recently improved, which cannot be dismissed. She is the current 200m Olympic champion and world silver medallist, with a lead time of 21.78 seconds this year from Hayward Field. Fans, on the other hand, remain sure that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has also risen to the occasion. Referring to the previous time these phenoms faced off, at the LA Grand Prix in May, one fan writes, “Today someone released a footage where Sydney beat 200m Olympic champion Gabby Thomas earlier this year.” “I believe Syd can beat anyone.” Do you think so? Share your thoughts on who will win the 200m.
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