Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone expressed her excitement before the Brussels Diamond League finals, stating, “I am really looking forward to giving my best here on Friday and Saturday, and end my season in beauty.” On the day of the 400m flat race, the 25-year-old Olympic champion lived up to her words. Clocking in at 49.11 seconds in this pre-competition special event, she secured a decisive victory.
Though McLaughlin-Levrone has one more race before officially concluding her 2024 season, she already has plans to celebrate afterward. Ahead of her 200m race, she showed anticipation for some Belgian treats. An NBC reporter cheekily inquired, “I know you got 200 (m) tomorrow, but chocolate and waffles? Are they on the menu?” to which she enthusiastically replied, “Absolutely!” She had her eyes set on trying Belgian chocolate and waffles as soon as she arrived in Brussels. However, her sweet indulgence had to wait until after her races were complete.
Despite not being part of the official finals, McLaughlin-Levrone approached the 400m race with determination. She acknowledged that she could not exceed her personal best of 48.75 seconds in this event but remained optimistic about the upcoming 200m race. Although no medals are on the line for her in Brussels, she aimed to surpass her 200m personal record on September 15, pushing the wait for the Belgian delicacies just a little longer.
There are mixed opinions among fans about her end-of-season plans. Some see it as a well-deserved celebration, while others believe she should focus on her training. Polls are circulating on various aspects of McLaughlin-Levrone’s career and decisions, including whether she is the greatest track star of our time.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is not taking the 200m race lightly either. While she did not qualify for the Diamond League finals, she was invited to participate in special races. Fans have been disappointed that she won’t directly face her rivals like Femke Bol and Marileidy Paulino, with the latter winning the official 400m flat race with a time of 49.45 seconds, which was slower than McLaughlin-Levrone’s earlier performance.
The decision to invite McLaughlin-Levrone stirred some controversy. Although she is the reigning Olympic and world record holder in the 400m hurdles and the Olympic gold medalist in Paris, she did not participate in any Diamond League events leading up to the finals. This initially led to her being excluded from the competition. The league later reversed their stance, including her in the event to honor her remarkable achievements, notably her 400m hurdles world record in Paris.
While her participation is a nod to her excellence, it also means she will not be racing against top rivals, disappointing a section of her fanbase. Nonetheless, McLaughlin-Levrone is focused on ending her season strong and enjoying her post-race celebration.
In summary, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone continues to push her limits, aiming to finish the season on a high note despite the complexities and controversies surrounding her inclusion in the Brussels event. Her sights are set on achieving personal milestones in the 200m race before finally enjoying a well-deserved treat: Belgian chocolate and waffles.
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