Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the queen of the 400m hurdles, has been eerily absent from the flat 400m spotlight this season. Despite shattering her own world record in Paris 2024 with a blistering 50.37, she’s skipped major Diamond League clashes, leaving fans craving her presence in the open 400m. Her season-best 49.69 in Miami is no slouch, but it pales against the sub-49 fireworks of her rivals. While Sydney’s been selective, focusing on hurdles and dabbling in the 100m hurdles, the women’s 400m has erupted into a battleground. Why is the track world buzzing without her?
Enter Marileidy Paulino and Salwa Eid Naser, the duo redefining the 400m. Paulino, the Dominican dynamo, stormed to an Olympic record of 48.17 in Paris, while Naser, Bahrain’s sprint queen, answered with a 48.53 for silver. Their rivalry is relentless, Paulino’s 49.12 in Philadelphia outpaced Naser’s 49.47, and in Miami, Paulino’s 49.21 edged Naser’s 49.33. At the Paris Diamond League, Paulino’s 48.81 set a meet record, with Naser hot on her heels at 48.85. These races aren’t just fast; they’re historic, with all eight Paris finalists dipping under 50 seconds. Can anyone else keep up with this pace?
On the Ready Set Go YouTube channel, Justin Gatlin, Olympic gold medalist turned analyst, didn’t hold back. “Pelino Pino is a dog,” he declared, praising Paulino’s grit. “Shouts out to all the ladies in this race because that was truly a fast race, and it actually has me thinking now. The rivalry between Paulino and Naser is always a close race, bro. These ladies are usually on, and they are fighting like it’s a final every 400m you see them against each other.” Gatlin called their duel “the most competitive in our sport right now,” predicting both could hit “another level of 48s” soon. Their head-to-heads, like Naser’s 48.67 in Kingston, are must-watch. But where does Sydney fit in this electrifying narrative?
Sydney’s 49.69 in Miami landed her sixth on the 2025 world list, behind Naser’s chart-topping 48.67 and Paulino’s 49.12. Her focus on hurdles and experimental 100m races has left her overshadowed in the flat 400m, where Paulino and Naser are stealing the show. Gatlin’s popcorn-ready anticipation for a Sydney-Paulino showdown hints at a future clash. Will Sydney step up to reclaim her spot in the 400m conversation? Meanwhile, her season hitherto gives us a sneak peak.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s 2025 season begins with a curious mix of brilliance and absence
Well, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone didn’t wait long to make a statement in 2025. Returning to competition at the Kingston Slam in April, the Olympic champion showed no rust, clocking 52.76 seconds to dominate the 400m hurdles, and doubling up with a 50.32 win in the 400m flat. It was a vintage Sydney display, effortless rhythm, clinical precision, and the kind of early-season form that spells danger for the rest of the field.
Then came Miami, where she stepped it up another level. On May 4, she ran a blistering 52.07 in the 400m hurdles, the world-leading time at that point, confirming that her training under Bobby Kersee is producing results. While her 400m flat time wasn’t officially recorded in published results, reports confirmed her participation in both events during the Miami leg of Grand Slam Track.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 400m Hurdles Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 08, 2024. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of United States celebrates with her national flag after winning gold and a new world record. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
But McLaughlin-Levrone wasn’t done experimenting. At the Philadelphia Slam on May 31–June 1, she stepped outside her comfort zone to run the 100m hurdles and the 100m flat, her first pro sprint without barriers. She placed fifth in the 100m hurdles, finishing behind sprint hurdlers like Ackera Nugent and Alaysha Johnson. While her 100m flat result hasn’t been fully detailed, her participation was confirmed, signaling a broader testing phase in her season.
Still, Sydney’s versatility screams potential. Her limited 400m flat races haven’t matched the Paulino-Naser fireworks, but her hurdles mastery keeps her in the conversation. Will she unleash her full 400m flat power next? With her next stop scheduled at the Prefontaine Classic on July 11, where she’s set to contest the 400m flat, all eyes now shift to Eugene. Will she go sub-49 again, or is this part of a larger Olympic year master plan?
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