If you are in doubt, here is a solid argument. First, he lowered his previous record by 0.73 seconds, a difference not surpassed in the competition’s 48-year history. The second, this time will put her in seventh place in the final of the smooth women’s quarter, which takes place minutes before the unforgettable race. He will be only 1.5 seconds behind the winner.

In the world of horse racing before McLaughlin, it would take years to break a split-second record, and winning a race doesn’t necessarily mean rewriting history. As you may have guessed, the women’s 400m hurdles is a discipline we all have to follow. For almost 12 years, two-time world champion Zuzana Hejnová was on top of the world, and she became one of the most successful Czech athletes in history.

As Sydney raced to the finish line, it was clear that this would be a show from another planet. She left second Dutchwoman Femke Bolová by 1.59 seconds. Bolova really destroys the difference. “It was crazy. In the end he ran so far in front that I doubted if it was a good race for me. Then I looked at the time and understood. Wow, that explains a lot,” said Bolová.

Even before the race, the experts could feel that it was no ordinary run. Sydney McLaughlin is the Olympic champion at the same track from Tokyo 2021. And she broke the record 400 hurdles four times in 13 months. It started with her becoming the first woman to break the 52-second mark. By the way, the 53-second mark dropped 36 years ago.

Asked now if it was the perfect performance, Sydney McLaughlin replied: “It’s been amazing. I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet, so I have to do it and talk to my coach about it. But I think there is always room for improvement.”

After he received his gold medal and heard America’s national anthem, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe gave him a check for $100,000 (nearly 2.5 million crowns) – the prize for breaking a world record.

How was such a world record shift possible? Behind it is an improved athletic track surface, new technology from the trainer’s sole, a new training regime from innovative coach Bob Kersee, who has worked with a whole galaxy of great athletes. But most importantly, McLaughlin’s talent was behind it.

When he’s so fast on the hurdles, why not try a smooth Thursday, do you think. You are not far from the truth. Sydney has helped the US 4x400m relay to gold in Tokyo. Most likely he will try individual races one day. “My coach said to really enjoy the 400m hurdles and then if I want to improve, do it,” said McLaughlin.

This young lady was not surprising with her appearance, but also with her demeanor. If he ever felt pressure on himself, he never showed it. He always seems calm, cool and focused.

He was born and raised in New Jersey, where he attended Union Catholic Regional High School. He was already shining there, becoming one of the greatest high school athletes of all time. Take a look at his parents and you will understand why. He comes from a very athletic family. Both his father and mother were track stars, and the siblings ran too. Pastor Willie ran the 400 meters and was a semifinalist in the 1984 US Olympics qualifiers in Los Angeles. Mary’s mother ran halfway in high school and brother Taylor excelled in the 400 meter hurdles. In 2016, he finished second at the U20 World Championship.

In 2016, at the age of 16, Sydney became the youngest athlete to enter the US track and field Olympic team in nearly 40 years. He is called “Syd the Kid” in Rio de Janeiro. And even though he didn’t advance to the finals, his experience was invaluable.

He later appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, where he was described as one of the most dominant high school athletes ever.

Five years later, he had already won at the Olympics in Tokyo. He broke his own world record, beating his defending compatriot Dalilah Muhammad’s Olympic gold. He then added a second gold in the 4×400 meter relay.

The young woman, who lives with former professional soccer player Andre Levron Jr., is a devout Christian and always thanks God for her success. He also loves and plays basketball very well, and he also does volunteer work when he helps recover after Hurricane Sandy, which claimed more than 100 lives in 2012 and flooded the New York subway, for example.