Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s first full season in the flat 400 meters overturned every order and narrative. By leaving behind her world-record event, the 400m hurdles, she immediately unsettled two of the most established figures like Marileidy Paulino and Salwa Eid Naser in the discipline. And coming at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo McLaughlin-Levrone produced a performance that moved her within striking distance of history. But at the same time drew out an unexpected rivalry that has since spilled beyond the track. And now as it appears, the ultimate track expert has figured out a way to solve the rising debate.

In the Tokyo final, McLaughlin-Levrone started from lane five and quickly erased the stagger. By the final straight, she had built a decisive advantage, but Paulino did not yield. The Dominican pressed her all the way, forcing both athletes to break through a barrier no woman had crossed together in one race. McLaughlin-Levrone crossed in 47.78 seconds, lowering a 42-year-old championship best, and coming within 0.18 of Marita Koch’s 1985 world record. However, her rivals made sure to make the win tougher as Paulino followed in 47.98, her own national record, and Naser completed the podium in 48.19. For all that, the contest ended with more debate than celebration.

Nonetheless, the possibility of a rematch has already emerged in the form of Alexis Ohanian’s Athlos, where athletes commit directly to head-to-head matchups. On the Ready Set Green podcast, track analyst Rodney Green brought up the tantalizing possibility. A prospect that Olympic gold medalist, Dawn Harper-Nelson was excited by, suggesting a fiery rematch could be coming considering Paulino’s post-race comments.

For some context, the flashpoint came with Paulino’s post-race remarks. Asked about her approach post the meet, she replied, “My mind has always been strong, regardless of who’s there. I am very proud of myself.” She then subtly drew a contrast with her new rival. “I feel like I won because I’ve been preparing myself, running five consecutive years, running six, seven, eight races a year, and that’s called winning. Not just showing up two or three times a year.”

McLaughlin-Levrone, who typically restricted herself to limited appearances, had raced only four times this season before Tokyo. Fans immediately took Paulino’s phrasing as a pointed jab at the American. And Paulino had to face some unprecedented backlash owing to her stance, which did not sit well with McLaughlin-Levrone’s fans.

Following this debacle, track analyst Rodney Green interpreted Paulino’s words in similar fashion. “They’re definitely going to push the event forward. Paulino, I don’t know if any of you guys saw Paulino’s interview in the back. It was more favorable or in favor of her liking Sydney jumping into the event because she didn’t run as much as her and Naser did.”

Then Green continued, “She basically made it sound like, well, she only ran two or three times and I ran all year. I’m still a champion. Get a rematch at Athos. I’m not sure if Sydney is, but I think I remember seeing that Sydney joined. If she did, we could possibly see a rematch at Athos.”

Green’s suggestion indicates that the unresolved tension from Tokyo may carry over into a new venue. Another voice, Dawn Harper-Nelson, saw the remarks as a reflection of the competitive mindset itself, explaining that Paulino and Naser both operate with the sense that “each person feels like they own this event.” However, while many are waiting to witness another jaw-dropping showdown from the bests after their historic race at Tokyo, an American track legend thinks differently about Marileidy’s comments.

Justin Gatlin steadies the race with perspective on McLaughlin-Levrone’s rival

Justin Gatlin, however, placed the exchange in a different light. “I think that Paulino’s comment may have been lost in translation. Because at the end of the day, I think when you in a situation where you are pretty much assuring to win and then someone comes into your event within less than a year and then they go out and do what they do, you’re looking for congratulations. You’re looking for reassurance. And I think that was just her trying to reassure herself that she had a whole season.” A veteran’s perspective on how athletes process disappointment.

The Olympic legend, trying to give his opinion about Paulino’s opinio,n further added, “She had a lot more races than she usually would and she ended off running, still running 47 in her last race of this season. Um, so that’s giving her that comfort of knowing that she didn’t fail. She just had a different kind of victory. Not the victory that she wanted, but she still had a victory within itself.”

But despite all opinion, one thing becomes clear. That which began as a landmark night in Tokyo has evolved into a dispute over definitions of success. Whether the reconciliation comes through Athlos or elsewhere, McLaughlin-Levrone and Paulino have already ensured that the women’s 400 meters is no longer simply about times on the clock. Rather now it also about a contest of philosophies.