“I’ve definitely got some work to do if I want a fair shot in that company.” That wasn’t just a post-race throwaway line. That was Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Olympic gold medalist, 400m hurdles world record holder, and arguably one of the most dominant female athletes on the track right now, responding to a rival’s outrageous 400m performance earlier this season. And she wasn’t wrong. Because when a 27-year-old sprinter runs like an unleashed beast, even Sydney takes notice. Now imagine them in the same race. Well, you won’t have to imagine for long, because on July 5, this long-awaited battle could become very real at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic yet again.

This year, Sydney has stunned the athletics world not just by competing in the 400m flat, but by owning it. Many expected her to stick to hurdles, but she’s flipped the script, making it a highlight reel— in Kingston, she clocked 50.32; then came Miami where she dropped that down to 49.69; and then New York, where she laid down a world-leading 48.75. That performance shook the stadium, moving her just one hundredth off her personal best of 48.74, and had people wondering if she might just break the 48-second barrier someday. But even as Sydney soared, there was one athlete looming in the shadows with the power to blow everything wide open.

Salwa Eid Naser, the Nigerian-born Bahraini sprint queen, made a thunderous return to the global stage. After being out of the spotlight from 30 June 2021 to February 2023 owing to a ban for breaching anti-doping rules, Naser came roaring back in 2024 to take Olympic silver, and now she holds the world’s fastest time this year: 48.67 seconds. And here’s the kicker: Salwa’s career best is 48.14 seconds, which makes her the third-fastest woman of all time, ahead of Sydney and just behind legends like Marita Koch (47.60 seconds set 0n October 6, 1985) and Jarmila Kratochvílová (47.99 seconds set on August 10, 1983). So when Sydney says she’s got “work to do,” she knows exactly who’s setting the standard.

As of now, the full women’s 400m lineup for the Prefontaine Classic hasn’t officially been announced by meet organizers. However, as NBC Sports Director of Social Media Travis Miller revealed on June 22 on X, “🚨BREAKING: Pre Classic adding a women’s 400m race featuring 🐐Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone!! 📺: 7/5 live on NBC & Peacock/”. Salwa’s name has also been floated, and based on her season-leading time and ranking, it’s very likely she’ll be added. If that happens, this won’t just be a race, it’ll be a generational clash. Sydney, representing the new era of hybrid dominance: clean, smooth, technically perfect. Salwa, representing pure, raw, fearless speed, the kind that doesn’t flinch under pressure, the kind that breaks races wide open in the first 200m and dares anyone to chase her.

Notably, this wouldn’t be the duo’s first showdown. Back in 2019, at the Shanghai Diamond League, when Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was just 19 and running her first big 400m flat, she pushed hard. But Salwa, already a beast in the event, edged her out, 50.65 to 50.78. Fast forward to the Paris Diamond League in June 2023, and Sydney turned the tables.

She finished second behind Marileidy Paulino with a 49.71, while Salwa came in third at 49.95. That’s one win apiece in major races, but here’s what makes it spicy: neither of them was at peak form in those matchups. Now? They’re both flying. If they meet again at Prefontaine, this won’t just be a rematch; it’ll be two evolved athletes bringing their best.

Well, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone may be having the best season of her life, but…

Can Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone take the lead?

Let’s not sugarcoat it, moving from the 400m hurdles to the flat 400m isn’t just about removing the barriers. It’s a completely different grind, which Sydney is doing! Even Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone herself admits it’s brutal.

“The 400m flat almost hurts a bit more than the hurdles,” she said, and coming from her, that says a lot. And here’s the thing: The track star is not training exclusively for this. She still splits time with hurdles and some short sprints, while someone like Salwa Eid Naser? She’s built for this one-lap burn.

But McLaughlin-Levrone’s excited. As per a statement to FloTrack, the athlete said, “I’m excited to participate in this year’s Prefontaine Classic, which holds a special place in the heart of track and field. I’m looking forward to competing against an incredible field of athletes and can’t wait to see everyone in Eugene!”

Looks like the stage is just being set. Who do you think will prosper?