Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, one of the greatest hurdlers, did not need more than a season to not only transition to flats but also dominate the event at a global stage. The two-time Olympic gold medalist, 6-time world record breaker, created history in Tokyo when she won her 1st flat 400m World title this week. And while Sydney’s win may come as a shock to many, Justin Gatlin, a former track & field athlete, had already made his verdict on the 400m event.

Just two nights before McLaughlin-Levrone became the fastest woman to run 400m in the last 40 years, Gatlin had predicted Sydney to ‘disrupt the 400m event.’ And now, after the 26-year-old hurdler finally won the event in Tokyo, Gatlin did not hold back when describing McLaughlin’s winning moment, who went past Marileidy Paulino to claim her first gold in 400m flat in 47.78 sec.

The US track legend said on the Tidal League podcast, “As soon as I saw that rain, I thought about that movie 300 when ready. And then it had me thinking before the race started, I was like, man, she went 48.90 at nationals. I was like, oh, they’ve been tricking us this whole time. She just was loaded at nationals. She wasn’t even race ready at nationals to still drop 48.90. This is her being ready right now.” He added that what stood out most was McLaughlin-Levrone’s visible surprise, adding, “This the first time that we’ve seen her be in awe of her own greatness.”

Gatlin also praised the collective standard of the field, pointing out that Paulino and Naser were not overawed. “Paulino didn’t give up, didn’t let up, and she went 47. And Naser went out there, ran her race, did a great job,” he said, noting that their presence will keep the event competitive. “Now you think they’re gonna back down because Sydney jumping into the boat, they like, ‘No, bring it on. We’re gonna make it epic.’”

The American track legend shared his take on the historic race, rightly framing the rivalry as the start of a new era for the 400m. In just less than a minute on September 18, McLaughlin-Levrone confirmed she could command the flat as she once did the hurdles. While Sydney’s milestone was widely celebrated, it did not come without drama.

Marileidy Paulino, who finished second, took an indirect dig at McLaughlin-Levrone, saying that she has been in the competition for at least five years and has been racing in multiple events. And that is a big win for her. “I’m very proud of myself. I feel like I won because I’ve been preparing myself, running for 5 consecutive years, running 6, 7, 8 races a year and that’s called winning. Not just showing up two or three times a year,” Paulino said after winning the silver with a 47.98-second finish.

The comment struck many as a thinly veiled dig at McLaughlin-Levrone, who has just transitioned to the 400m flat. And running a selective schedule has been a frequent talking point. However, soaked in her win, McLaughlin-Levrone has her eyes set on the next big stage.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone departed Tokyo with more than just a medal. Putting doubts to rest, she also made a decision about her Olympic future. When asked about her plans for LA 2028, Sydney said, “We will need to talk about the schedule for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Maybe I could do both 400m and 400m hurdles. I would need some days off between those events and there is a tough field in both events.”

Now, having crossed into new territory with a 400m world title, she confronted questions of what comes next. “It’s amazing, it’s an honor,” she said. While many doubted her switch from hurdles to the flat distance, she proved her worth. Yet her performance not only silenced uncertainty but also raised the possibility of extending her ambitions further.

Still, almost 3 years are left for LA to unveil. And her plan indeed already shows her willingness to explore a dual program in Los Angeles, aiming for a three-peat win (400m flat, 400m hurdles, and relay). Already the first athlete to win world titles in both disciplines, and now the track world would just wait to witness more. By setting out this vision immediately after securing her 400m crown, McLaughlin-Levrone has just raised the stakes even higher.