Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone targets personal bests at 2024 Memorial Van Damme event in Brussels
400m hurdles world record holder McLaughlin-Levrone is on a mission in Brussels - to beat her biggest competition: herself. The four-time Olympic champion will close out the season, running in the 200m and 400m.
Athletics
Reigning Olympic 400m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is ready to electrify the Allianz Memorial Van Damme crowd in Brussels on September 13-14. The 25-year-old is set to compete in both the 200m and 400m exhibition races, with her sights firmly set on smashing personal bests.
These two races are not part of the Diamond League programme and were specially added to "honour Sydney's remarkable achievements, including her unforgettable 400m hurdles world record in Paris", according to meet organisers.
McLaughlin-Levrone did not run in a Diamond League meet this season.
With the platform now set, the four-time Olympic champion is focused on making her mark across the 200m and 400m flat distances.
Friday’s 400m will be McLaughlin-Levrone’s biggest test, as she faces fierce competition from Olympic medallists Stacey Ann Williams and Stephenie Ann McPherson. This will be only her second flat 400m race of the year, but expectations are sky-high after her blistering 48.74 run at the USATF New York City Grand Prix in June.
Saturday’s 200m exhibition promises an equally tough field, with Tasa Jiya, Gina Bass, and Boglárka Takács all in the mix. McLaughlin-Levrone is chasing her season-best of 22.07 seconds, set at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix.
"I am really looking forward to giving my best here on Friday and Saturday, and end my season in beauty. And of course I’ve also heard about Belgian delicacies like waffles and chocolate. I definitely want to taste those! But I am going to wait with that until after my races,” McLaughlin-Levrone shared ahead of the event.