Nike’s Olympic track and field uniforms spark controversy
Nike’s new track and field uniforms for the 2024 Paris Olympics have sparked controversy among critics and fellow athletes.
EUGENE, Ore. — Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone continued her dominating performance in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, setting a world record (again) in the final meet of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials Sunday at Hayward Field. McLaughlin-Levrone crossed the line in 50.65 seconds and covered her mouth in shock at her time.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s previous world record was 50.68 seconds, also set at Hayward Field, and will take place at the 2022 world championships.
“Honestly, thank God, I never expected this,” McLaughlin-Levrone said on the post-race broadcast. “With Christ, anything is possible. I’m just amazed, confused and shocked.”
Anna Cockrell (52.64) came second and Jasmine Jones (52.77) came third and will join McLaughlin-Levrone in Paris.
Dalilah Muhammad, who won gold in Rio and silver in Tokyo, finished in sixth place.
McLaughlin-Levrone is a 400m hurdles gold medalist who sets new world records almost every time she steps onto the track, and she’s not only the favorite to win in Paris, but expected to do so by a large margin.
But she insists that she is truly amazed and grateful with each improvement in her time in each race.
“I knew I was in the low 50s and it was just a matter of getting my stride pattern right,” she said. “I knew I was fit enough. I was a little shocked that my stride pattern wasn’t the best. I still have room to improve.”
It’s the work and the results that motivate her.
McLoughlin-Levrone dreams of breaking 50 seconds, and given her history, that doesn’t seem like a stretch.
“I really enjoy figuring out how to improve history,” she said. “It’s something I think about all the time.”
She said the world record was a “confidence boost” ahead of the Paris Games.
Before the final, McLaughlin-Levrone’s coach, the legendary Bobby Kerthy, encouraged her to “not be afraid to give it your all, trust in your ability when you get home and just complete the 10 hurdles.”
“He always uses boxing phrases,” McLaughlin-Levrone said, “so my Joe Frazier today was 10 hurdles. I just made sure I was focused on that. I didn’t have a time goal.”
And certainly in this analogy, McLaughlin-Levrone is a Muhammad Ali, himself a former Olympian.
McLaughlin-Levrone is also likely to be selected for the 4x400m team after running the first leg of the relay that led the U.S. to gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
The relay team pool is expected to be announced by USATF by July 8.
McLaughlin-Levrone had been thinking about running the 400 hurdles and 400 meters, but the current Olympic track schedule doesn’t lend itself to that. At times it seems like McLaughlin-Levrone could win, or at least compete for a medal in, any sprint event. As of Sunday morning, she had run her sixth-fastest 200 time of the season, which she recorded in Los Angeles in May.
“I just wanted to focus on one thing… and perform to the best of my ability,” she said. “That’s why we chose the 400-meter hurdles, and today was a good opportunity to prove that.”
“There’s more to come.”
Contributor: Tyler Dragon