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?