When Michael Johnson unexpectedly canceled the final Grand Slam Track meet in L.A., it left Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s fans disappointed. But instead of letting the disappointment stall her progress, Sydney did what champions do: she pivoted, and she elevated. Her next move? A statement. The 2025 Prefontaine Classic. one of the most iconic, sponsor-heavy meets in the sport. It’s where elite athletes show up, and where Nike has dominated the stage for decades. So when Sydney’s name appeared in the women’s 400m lineup, it felt like business as usual… until you looked a little closer. Because this time, Sydney isn’t just making her Prefontaine debut, she’s also quietly making history. And no, it’s not for another world record. Not yet, anyway.

Let’s backtrack. Sydney is no ordinary athlete; she’s the reigning Olympic champ, the world record holder in the 400m hurdles, and a four-time gold medalist who’s redefined what greatness looks like on the track. From Tokyo to Paris, she’s made Hayward Field her playground, breaking records and collecting medals like it’s casual business. Now, she’s back in Eugene, but this time, it’s for the flat 400m, a non-Diamond League event that just got a whole lot more interesting with her name on the list. But here’s where it gets interesting…how exactly can Sydney be part of this?

Well, the organizers have officially confirmed Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s debut at the Prefontaine Classic on July 5th. Sydney is no stranger to Hayward Field—she ran her personal best of 48.74 seconds there at the 2023 U.S. Outdoor Championships. But here’s the twist: while past stars like Sha’Carri Richardson, Faith Kipyegon, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and Cole Hocker have all competed wearing Nike, Sydney stands apart.

Nike has been the long-time title sponsor of the Prefontaine Classic since 1978, and this meet is one of the most heavily sponsored in the world. The 2025 edition features big names like Wanda Diamond League, Kendall Lexus, PeaceHealth, and TrackTown USA as partners. Almost every athlete you see running here carries the iconic swoosh—everyone except Sydney.

Despite not being part of the Nike family, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is making waves as the first non-Nike-sponsored female runner officially announced for this event. She’s a New Balance athlete through and through, yet she’s set to headline a meet dominated by Nike athletes and branding. That’s a huge deal. Until now, the only women announced were field-event athletes, all traditionally in Nike gear. But Sydney’s presence flips the script. She’s leading the pack wearing New Balance, proving that true excellence shines beyond any logo.

Imagine she’s running on a Nike-sponsored track, at a Nike-sponsored event, without wearing Nike. And she’s still the star. That’s power. While field athletes had been the only women confirmed till now, Sydney’s entry into the 400m opens the gates for a new narrative: elite performance doesn’t need a swoosh to shine. Sometimes, all it takes is a lane, a legacy, and Sydney. But this huge announcement came after Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was expected to make history at the Grand Slam Track. So why didn’t she take part? What really happened behind the scenes?

When the GST was canceled, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone kept the fire burning. Here’s why

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is on fire this 2025 season, and honestly, she’s making it look effortless. Starting in Kingston, Jamaica, she crushed both the 400m hurdles and the flat 400m, clocking a blazing 52.76 seconds in the hurdles. Then came Miami, where she didn’t just win — she dominated with a world-leading 52.07 in the hurdles and a sizzling 49.69 in the flat 400m, taking home a cool $100,000 prize. By the time Philadelphia rolled around, Sydney was unstoppable, sweeping both events again and staying firmly at the top of the Grand Slam standings.

Just when fans were buzzing for her to light up the Los Angeles Grand Slam meet, the unexpected happened: the event was canceled. The reason? Big financial losses, reportedly over $2 million, because of a bad deal with UCLA’s Drake Stadium. Plus, USA Track & Field called it quits on hosting two major meets in LA within weeks of each other, making the schedule impossible. But here’s what’s inspiring: despite all the setbacks and drama, Sydney hasn’t backed down from supporting the Grand Slam Track series. The big question now: will she run the 400m flat this season?

See, Sydney’s a queen of the 400m hurdles, no doubt. But the flat 400m? That’s a whole different ballgame. It demands smart pacing and raw endurance over the full lap. Her personal best: 48.74 seconds from the 2023 USATF Championships, is impressive, but this year’s Prefontaine Classic is a beast of a competition. She’ll be up against some of the fastest, most specialized 400m sprinters on the planet. But here’s what’s exciting: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s been gearing up hard. She’s already racked up wins in the 400m at recent Grand Slam meets in Kingston and Miami, clocking solid times of 50.32 and 49.69 seconds. If she keeps this momentum, we could be in for one epic showdown. So, will Sydney conquer the flat 400m? Only time will tell.