We’re in the final stretch of the 2024 Paris Olympics now. With most of the events done and dusted with, track and field events are still currently underway. Team USA so far have racked up 27 medals in the events at the French capital. But on August 8, the crowds in Stade de France witnessed magic! Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone stepped onto the purple tracks to defend her Olympic title in the 400m hurdles. Even though many assumed this was an easy feat, the world still watched her with bated breath.

The 25-year-old was the favorite to win her ‘bread and butter’ event. But would she be able to continue her reign at the French capital? The hurdler didn’t just effortlessly clinch an Olympic gold to her name, but she went on to set a new world record too. With her stellar time of 50.37 seconds, she had shattered her own record for the 6th time in her career. This isn’t all though. She is also the only woman to successfully claim an Olympic title at 2 consecutive Games.

What made this moment even more iconic was her putting on the most sparkly crown she could get her hands on after draping the star spangled flag around her. But McLaughlin-Levrone’s victory sparked a fiery debate among fans, bringing up fellow track Sha’Carri Richardson. The latter finally made an incredible Olympic debut this year. One fan pointed out, “Broke her record 6 times.. Yet shacca is the face of American women athletics absolutely crazy.” What could have brought on this comparison?

The 24-year-old had qualified for her first Olympic berth back in 2021. However,

a one month suspension kept her out of contention. But she made a triumphant comeback in the years that followed, and finally nabbed a spot in the 100m sprint this year. Given her impressive time of 10.71 seconds at the Hayward Field in June, many were hoping to see her grab her first Olympic gold in Stade de France. Unfortunately, she couldn’t keep up with Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred, and had to settle for a second place finish with 10.87 seconds on the clock.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has now successfully participated in 3 Olympics events – clinching a gold in both of them. However, fans have pointed out how the Richardson has been thrust into the spotlight more frequently – even being addressed as the face of track and field. But fans don’t see how that’s true given the 25-year-old has cemented her status as the most formidable foe in the event. What do the fans have to say?

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone vs Sha’Carri Richardson – a war of words ensues

As the world’s best athletes made their way to City of Lights, the world was watching, cheering their favorites on. However, the track and field community have now reached an impasse. One fan clarified,

“400mh is not a popular event. Then if Sidney were to move to the open 400m and 200m she would constantly be compared to Allyson Felix. We have no reason to hate Sha’Carri, she’s her own person. Any other athlete doing what she’s done at her age would be praised in their country.” Richardson’s 100m win at this year’s Olympic Trials happened to be one of the most-watched clips.

Another fan stated, 

“Nah, let’s not do that. To pretend Sha’carri is the Sexy Red of track and doesn’t have the talent and medals ain’t it. Fact is, you barely see Sydney outside of a few races a season. And has a very reserved public persona.” In a June 4 interview with CITIUS Mag, Bobby Kersee opened up about how they pick and choose what races Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will contest in to ensure she’s prepared for the big events. While some are treated as practice runs, he also mentioned how they take several other factors into consideration.

One fan exclaimed, 

“Shacarri performs against a deep 100m field. Sydney performs against scrubs. When Sydney runs the 400 flat and 200 and beats the truly best of the best she can be the face of US Track and Field” Even though Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has clinched the top in 100m and 200m before, she hasn’t competed in the events at the Summer Games. Richardson on the other hand is the reigning 100m world champion after her stellar time of 10.65 seconds at the 2023 World Championship in Budapest.

Another fan simply said,

“Those who know knows it’s Sydney” While her world records and medals make her the obvious choice for the title, many seem seem to disagree. A fan pointed out, “She has broken the record 6 times and she’s not even the face of her sport. If Bolt was the record holder in 110 hurdles, he wont even be the face of Jamaican athletics. The prime event is the 100m, that’s why your athletes are complaining no one cares about field events.” The general consensus is that 100m would always take precedence over the 400m hurdles. Do you agree with the fans? Let us know in the comments!