Fans were devastated to learn that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will not be able to compete in the Brussels Diamond League. “She is ineligible because she did not compete in any regular season meets this year,” Diamond League CEO Petr Stastny explained. Despite the shocking revelation, not all is lost. “Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will compete in the pre-programme events,” independent reporter Owen on X announced.
“The pre-programme festivities are not part of the two-hour broadcast window,” the study stated. Track and field fans were excited to see Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone return to competition after Paris. In Paris, the hurdling expert astonished the competition with an astounding Olympic and world record-breaking time of 50.37 seconds.
Fans delighted when the American received a wildcard berth into the Brussels Diamond League. Many others, however, protested to the Paris 2024 double gold medalist’s wildcard inclusion. “One of the prerequisites for being awarded a worldwide wildcard was to compete in at least one DL meet,” Owen stated immediately after Petr Stastny’s announcement.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone meets almost all of the optional criteria for a wildcard. She holds the world record, is the reigning Olympic champion, and is ranked first in her event. However, the requirement to compete in at least one edition of the League cannot be ignored. In actuality, McLaughlin-Levron has only entered three races in 2024.
How do you think Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will recover from her recent setback and regain her dominance in the Diamond League?
After withdrawing from the World Championships last year, the 25-year-old made her season debut at the New York Grand Prix on June 9. The four-time Olympic gold medallist then competed in the United States Olympic Trials and the Paris Summer Games. Unfortunately, her overwhelming performance in the 400m hurdles at Paris 2024 does not qualify her for the Diamond League.
On 25 August, several track and field fans and specialists expressed their discontent at Diamond League Silesia. While rival Femke Bol and teammate Anna Cockrell competed, Sydney McLaughlin-Levron was absent. With the Zurich edition underway, several felt the League was breaking its own rules by allowing the world record holder to participate. However, not everyone shares these viewpoints.
Justin Gatlin defended Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
How do you think Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone can recover from her recent setback and regain her dominance in the Diamond League?
The public’s criticism of the former world champion’s lack of action is not new. Since establishing herself as an unstoppable force in the 400m hurdle, the Team USA standout has selected her events with caution. However, experienced sprinter Justin Gatlin does not agree with the criticism. While analysing the athlete’s absence on August 25, Gatlin made a comparison to Usain Bolt.
“I’ve been there before, man. You have to remember that once Bolt reached a certain level, he stopped running as many races. stated the fifth-fastest man of all time. Despite her lack of activity, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone remains the woman to beat in the 400m hurdles. According to Gatlin, the fact that she owns both records by a significant margin distinguishes her as a great athlete.
However, the Diamond League has changed its rules. While dominant players used to have selective participation, the new regulations requiring at least one edition of the League to be eligible for the global wildcard went into effect in February 2024. Unfortunately, the Queen of the 400m hurdles will have to settle with the pre-program event.
While this is not what her global fan following had hoped for, those in attendance will still be able to see the champion race. Thankfully, viewers watching from home will be able to see Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone compete on a regular basis shortly, as she will begin racing at Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track in April of next year.
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