The results of the women's 400m hurdles final confirmed what many experts and track and field enthusiasts have long known. Indeed, the American and Olympic Champion Sydney McLaughlin was the overwhelming favorite going into the 2022 Oregon World Championship and would be crowned the World Champion in that event. In essence, for the other competitors, the race was on for the silver and bronze medals. Afterall, the writing was on the wall when McLaughlin ran 51.41 on June 27, 2022 to break her previous World Record of 51.46, done at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that was staged last year, 2021.
McLaughlin one of four Americans
The final was a well-stacked field that included four Americans in McLaughlin; the defending World Champion in Dalilah Mohammad; Shamier Little and Britton Wilson. Femke Bol of the Netherlands, the Jamaican and former World Championship bronze medalist Rushell Clayton, Gianna Woodruff of Panama and Anna Ryzhykova of Ukraine completed the field.
McLaughlin fast start
From the moment the starter’s gun went off, McLaughlin was out like a woman on a mission. She quickly made up the stagger on all the athletes on her outside, even as she motored away from those on her inside. At the 250m mark, it was clear that the 22-year- old Olympic Champion and World Record Holder was taking no prisoners with her. It was crystal clear that she was in imperious form and in a class all by herself as she set a blistering pace for all to follow, but with little success. McLaughlin was electrifying, powerful, yet smooth and crisp over the hurdles.
McLaughlin takes the victory
When she came off the final turn and heading down the homestretch, she was several metres ahead of Femke Bol and Dalilah Mohammad. Indeed, she was beyond recall, having put daylight between herself and the rest of the field. Clearly, neither Femke Bol nor Dalilah Mohammad was any match for the young and gifted McLaughlin; they could find nothing within them to respond. In the end, McLaughlin stopped the clock in an insane 50.68, a new World Record and Championship Record and in the process becoming the first and only woman to ever run the event below 51 seconds.
The others
The 22-year-old Dutch Woman Femke Bol, who finished third at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, elevated her medal position to take silver on this occasion by running a season's best 52.27. The American and defending Champion Dalilah Mohammad was third in a season's best of 53.13.
The American duo of Shamier Little (53.76) and Britton Wilson (54.02) were fourth and fifth, respectively. The sole Jamaican in Rushell Clayton was sixth in 54.36 while Gianna Woodruff of Panama and Anna Ryzhykova of Ukraine were seventh and eighth in times of 54.75 and 54.93, respectively.
McLaughlin is the GOAT
The results solidify Sydney McLaughlin not only as the World Champion but also as the Greatest of All Times in the event (G.O.A.T.). The young American from New Jersey has no equal in the event. And one is now left to ponder where to and what next for the brightest track star at this time? Mclaughlin is now the World Record Holder, Olympic Record Holder, and the World Championship Record Holder, a unique feat that is held only by Jamaica's Usain Bolt in the sprints.
There is no doubt in my mind that once she remains healthy and fit and is committed to the event (400m hurdles), she will win gold at every future Championship in World Record time. It is quite conceivable that with the young and talented Femke Bol around to push her to the limit, Mclaughlin could lower the time in the 400m hurdles to below 50 seconds, a feat if achieved, would be the greatest ever in track and field history.
Henley Taylor
Freelance Sportswriter
Edited by Raymond Byfield
Sydney McLaughlin photo courtesy of www.sourceathletics.com
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