McLaughlin-Levrone retains 400m hurdles gold, record

Saint-Denis, France (CNN) — Team USA superstar and reigning 400m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone put on a spectacular show at the Stade de France to retain her gold medal.

The 25-year-old, who celebrated her birthday on Wednesday, was truly in a league of her own as she broke her own world record to claim victory in 50.37 seconds.

As if that wasn’t enough, McLaughlin-Levrone also becomes the first woman to win two Olympic 400m hurdles crowns.

She ran around the Stade de France with an American flag draped around her shoulders and a crown on her head, before celebrating with American Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall.

“I’m grateful to God for this opportunity,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “I’m grateful to be able to celebrate my 25th birthday like this. It was yesterday, an incredible opportunity, that you can’t even imagine.”

“My whole family is here. We’re going to celebrate, we’re going to enjoy this moment and we’re also going to prepare for the relay.

“It’s amazing to see our sport continue to grow, that people want to watch the 400m hurdles, it’s amazing. There’s been a lot of work put in this year. I knew it was going to be a tough race. An incredible competition all round.”

Anna Cockrell of the United States won silver with a personal best time of 51.87.

Bronze went to Dutchwoman Femke Bol, considered the only athlete likely to beat McLaughlin-Levrone, with 52.15.

The Bol vs. McLaughlin-Levrone match was one of the most anticipated of the Paris Olympics.

The duo appeared to be neck and neck for much of the race, but the American pulled away heading into the final 100 metres, asserting her authority as the world’s preeminent female hurdler.

Bol looked upset as she crossed the line and covered her face with her hands.

“All you want to do in an Olympic final is to do your best race. I missed my shot. I don’t know exactly where I made the mistake. I just had too much lactic acid with 300 meters to go. I don’t really know why, I really have no explanation,” Bol said.

“It’s just a bad race. I’ll look at the positives, I’ll talk to my coach, I’ll try to enjoy this bronze medal.”

McLaughlin-Levrone currently looks unbeatable and will be aiming to become the first woman to go under 50 seconds.

There is one more race left in these Olympics, as the United States aims to defend its 4x400m relay title, but it will take some effort to top what was the Olympic moment on Day 13 of these Games.

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