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OregonGoldRush | Sydney McLaughlin obliterates world record in 400 hurdles

Published:Friday | July 22, 2022 | 11:07 PM
Gold medallist Sydney McLaughlin, of the United States, poses by a sign after winning the final of the women's 400-meter hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Gladstone Taylor
Gold medallist Sydney McLaughlin, of the United States, poses by a sign after winning the final of the women's 400-meter hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

EUGENE, Oregon (AP):

Sydney McLaughlin shattered her world record by a whopping 0.73 seconds Friday, blazing through the 400-meter hurdles in 50.68 seconds for her first career gold medal at world championships.

The 22-year-old obliterated the field in setting the first world record of these championships. More impressively, it marked the fourth straight major race in which she's bettered the mark.

“It's unreal,” McLaughlin said in the post-race interview on the track.

Femke Bol of the Netherlands finished second in 52.27 — that's a 1.59-second difference — and defending world champion Dalilah Muhammad finished third in 53.13 — a time that would've won the race going away a mere seven years ago.

On a clear, perfect, 72-degree night at Hayward Stadium, McLaughin left Bol and Muhammad behind by the 150-metre mark. When the American reached the final curve, it was clear this would strictly be a race against the clock.

When she finished, she bent to the ground, looked at the scoreboard and said, “That’s great, that's great.” She clutched her knees and smiled. A minute later, the mascot, Legend the Bigfoot, photo bombed her while holding a sign saying: “World records are my favorite food.”

Her's, too. After the medals ceremony, World Athletics President Seb Coe presented McLaughlin with a check for $100,000 — the bonus for anyone who sets a world mark at this meet.

“Honestly, I just wanted to run and go for it,” she said. “That last 100 really hurt.“

Jamaica’s sole representative Rushell Clayton stopped the clock at 54.36 which was good enough sixth place.

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