Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won the 400-meter hurdle final and set a world record for the event at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on Sunday.
McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning gold medalist and world No. 1, finished with a time of 50.65 seconds. Just over two seconds behind her were Anna Cockrell and Jasmine Jones.
As the top three finishers, all three secured a spot on the Olympic Team for the event, leading what could be one of America’s strongest events in Paris.
McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning gold medalist and world No. 1, barely broke a sweat in the semifinals Saturday with a 52.48-second effort to advance to what promises to be a scorching final Sunday at Hayward Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
An even-tempered McLaughlin-Levrone promised to “let it fly” in this meet’s last event.
Stream every moment and every medal of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Peacock, starting with the Opening Ceremony July 26 at 12 p.m. ET.
She was pushed by Cockrell, who recorded a personal best 52.95 in the semifinals to earn her spot in the final — and then bested that during the finals with a time of 52.64.
In contrast to McLaughlin-Levrone’s businesslike demeanor, Cockrell couldn’t contain her joy about breaking the 53-second mark for the first time.
“It means I’m ready,” she said. “It tells me what we’ve been working for in the past is working. I’m pleased, I’m pleased.”
The power-packed field in Sunday’s final also included Tokyo silver medalist Dalilah Muhammad and Shamier Little, who won her heat on Saturday.
Tokyo silver medalist Keni Harrison, Rio silver medalist Nia Ali and Alaysha Johnson, who recorded the best semifinal time of 12.36 seconds, competed in the women’s 100 hurdles.
Harrison finished sixth and Ali finished fourth, missing out on a spot on the team for the event.
The 100-meter winner was world No. 17 Masai Russell, followed by Johnson and Grace Stark.
Rai Benjamin, who won silver in Tokyo, CJ Allen, and Trevor Bassitt clinched the spots for the men’s 400-meter hurdles.
Benjamin and Allen turned in the top two final times — a meet record of 46.46 and a 47.81, respectively. Bassitt clocked in at 47.82.