When you hear “women’s 400m,” it’s hard not to think of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The hurdling sensation dazzled the world once again at the Paris Olympics, successfully defending her gold medals from Tokyo. Whether it’s the 400m flat or the 400m hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone has cemented her name among the greatest sprinters of all time. Her dominance has turned her into a beacon of inspiration for young athletes everywhere, who dream of one day sharing the track with their idol.

Right now, the 2024 U20 World Athletics Championships are heating up in Lima, Peru. The stands may not be packed, but that hasn’t stopped these rising stars from giving it their all on the South American tracks. Among them is a determined Czech sprinter, who harbors the ultimate dream: to one day race against the world record-holder in the 400m hurdles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. It’s a dream fueled by the hope of standing shoulder to shoulder with the legend herself, chasing greatness with every stride.

Competition is brewing on the horizon for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

19-year-old Lurdes Gloria Manuel of the Czech Republic picked up gold in the women’s 400m race at the U20 World Championships in 51:29 seconds, while the USA’s Zaya Akins came in third to win bronze. Naturally, elation is aplenty for Manuel. Soon after winning the title, the athlete sat down for an interview with World Athletics where she expressed her happiness over her latest triumph. During the conversation, McLaughlin-Levrone’s name came for obvious reasons, and Manuel couldn’t help but state her admiration of the four-time Olympic gold medalist.

On being asked if she looks forward to racing against the American, Manuel didn’t even try to hide her feelings about Bob Kersee’s star student. “No, I’m scared. She’s the fastest woman I know,” laughed the 2023 European U20 champ. However, Manuel is fixated on developing her own skills as she looks to levy “more on details like recovery, food and this stuff.”

At the recently concluded Paris Games, Manuel reached the semifinal of the women’s 400m race before crashing out of the tournament. However, by securing her victory in the Peruvian capital, she could be well on her way to a bright future where she may even be able to give McLaughlin-Levrone a run for her money in the coming days. But the New Jersey native won’t be making things easy either.

A towering figure dominating the tracks

Sydney has always been destined for greatness. As a student of Union Catholic Regional High, she was already making waves in the domestic track and field circuit, hinting that she would go on to become a highly successful athlete in any sport of her choosing. Her iron mindset was once again laid bare for the world to witness at the US Olympic team Trials in Eugene, Oregon. At Hayward Field, McLaughlin-Levrone ran and won the 400m race while recovering from a foot injury involving her toe thumbnails.

On the other hand, McLaughlin was among the athletes who racked in tons of cash prizes after her Paris Olympics triumphs. While many fans often allege that the Olympian’s absence from the track for the greater part of a year can sometimes be frustrating, McLaughlin-Levrone seems to be quite comfortable in her headspace. When she beat the Netherlands’ Femke Bol in Paris, even the latter had to acknowledge that defeating the American star is an ambition that isn’t easy to attain. But will Manuel be able to pull off anything so electrifying any time soon? We’ll have to wait for the answer.