Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone smashes world record to retain 400m hurdles title
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Paris: American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone obliterated her own 400 metres hurdles world record with a time of 50.37 seconds to retain her Olympic title on Thursday.
Anna Cockrell made it a US 1-2 in a time of 51.87 and Dutchwoman Femke Bol, who had been expected to challenge for gold, faded in the last 50 metres to take bronze in 52.15.
It was the sixth time McLaughlin-Levrone had broken the world record, lowering her previous mark of 50.65 set at the US trials in June.
The crowd at the Stade de France went into a frenzy when it became clear a new all-time best was within her reach and she fittingly rang the victory bell with a glittering tiara perched on her head.
The first woman to break the 52 and 51-second barriers, McLaughlin-Levrone has been on a mission to rewrite the history books whenever she competes, turning the 400 hurdles into a marquee event - and herself into a superstar - in the process.
"It’s amazing to see our sport continue to grow, for people to want to watch the 400m hurdles, it’s amazing. Just a lot of hard work put in this year," she told reporters.
"I knew it was going to be a tough race. An amazing competition all the way round."
She walked to her blocks like a prize fighter stepping into the ring, expressionless despite the chorus of cheers that greeted her, and wrested the lead from the moment the gun went off, gliding over each barrier with ease.
Bol, the only other woman to have cracked 51 seconds, was widely seen as McLaughlin-Levrone's closet challenger and had a large Dutch cohort in the stands on her side, but she lost steam five days after she delivered gold in the mixed relay.
McLaughlin-Levrone, the 2022 world champion, was miles ahead of the field down the final straight and she charged ahead in a thrilling race against the clock as Cockrell held on to produce a personal best in second.
Letsile Tebogo became the first African to win the men's Olympic 200 metres title when he powered clear of American duo Kenny Bednarek and a COVID-hit Noah Lyles to claim Botswana's first Olympic gold medal.
Tebogo, who set a national record of 9.86 when finishing sixth in 100m final, produced a dominant last 50 metres and crossed the line in 19.46 seconds, beating his chest as he become the fifth-fastest man in history over 200m.
Bednarek chased him all the way to take a second successive silver in 19.62 seconds, with Lyles, who had been hoping to become the first American to complete the sprint double since Carl Lewis 40 years ago, repeating his Tokyo bronze in 19.67.
It was the triple world champion's first defeat in a 200m final for three years. He received medical treatment after crossing the line and after the race US officials said he had tested positive for COVID on Tuesday, two days after he won the 100 metres gold.
"In response (to the test, the USOPC and USATF swiftly enacted all necessary protocols to prioritise his health, the wellbeing of our team, and the safety of fellow competitors," USATF said in a statement.
"Our primary commitment is to ensure the safety of Team USA athletes while upholding their right to compete. After a thorough medical evaluation, Noah chose to compete tonight. We respect his decision and will continue to monitor his condition closely."
Adding to the chaos, a yellow card appeared against Lyle's name in the official results to mark a misconduct violation for damaging his lane box before the race start.
American Tara Davis-Woodhall soared to Olympic gold in the women's long jump, sealing victory with a gigantic fourth leap to improve on her silver medal performance at last year's World Championships.
The 25-year-old posted 7.10 metres to take the title from Tokyo Olympic gold medallist and three-time world champion Malaika Mihambo of Germany who claimed silver with 6.98.
"I've dreamed of this moment my entire life, four years old when I started track and field," Davis-Woodhall said.
"I've been telling myself all year: '8-0-8 (Aug. 8), that's the day we win the Olympics.'"
American Jasmine Moore jumped 6.96 to secure her second bronze of the Games, after finishing third in the triple jump.
Davis-Woodhall, who has the word "sacrifice" tattooed on her body, had victory locked up before her final jump after the 30-year-old Mihambo ran through the pit on her sixth attempt.
The American choked back tears before her last sprint down the runway. She stood up briefly after landing, then fell back into the sand with a wide smile to the delight of the Stade de France crowd.
"I just couldn't keep it together, I was screaming in my head," said Davis-Woodhall, on what was going through her mind on her final jump. "I had the crowd in my hands, and that's what I dreamed of. I made people watch long jump."
Davis-Woodhall, who was sixth at the Tokyo Olympics, tasted global victory for the first time when she won the world indoor title in March.
But that could not compare to an Olympic gold medal, and the elated athlete made a beeline for the trackside crowd, leaping into the arms of her husband and Paralympic sprinter Hunter Woodhall. She then hugged coach Travis Geopfert.
"They were just so proud of me, they couldn't believe it," she said. "Actually they could believe it. I kept saying 'I can't believe it, I can't believe it.' I'm proud of myself."
The bubbly former University of Texas jumper rang the stadium's victory bell in a cowboy hat and draped in an American flag. Asked how she planned to celebrate, Davis-Woodhall said: "I've got to go find my husband, we'll have some tequila shots or something."
Hunter Woodhall will compete at the Paris Paralympics, which start later this month.