She’s conquered the long track. Now she’s coming for the short one. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the undisputed queen of the 400m hurdles and owner of one of the most untouchable world records in track and field, is about to blow the lid off sprinting. In a move that’s sent shockwaves through the athletics world, the Olympic icon is stepping out of her signature event. And she is diving straight into the fire of the 100m flat and 100m hurdles. This isn’t just a shift. It’s a seismic leap. And she’s doing it all in one weekend.

It’s the kind of double that sends a jolt through the sport. McLaughlin-Levrone has long been a master of the long lap, blending grace and grit to dominate the 400m hurdles like no one else ever has. But now, she’s ditching the full-lap rhythm for short-burst chaos. Where explosiveness and precision rule, and where one blink can cost you everything. And mind you, this isn’t a random experiment.

It’s part of the Grand Slam Track Series, a new stage where athletes compete in event duos to test their range. McLaughlin-Levrone owned the “long hurdles” group at the first two stops, sweeping both the 400m hurdles and 400m flat in Kingston and Miami. With maximum points secured, she’s shifting focus to a new category. The short hurdles, where she’ll take on the 100m hurdles and the 100m flat over two days at Franklin Field.

The competition is fierce. In the hurdles, she’ll go head-to-head with Masai Russell, the reigning Olympic champion who just set a new American record with a blistering 12.17 in Miami. There’s also Danielle Williams, a two-time world champion, and Ackera Nugent, whose speed on the flat powered her to victory in Florida. All three have proven their sprinting chops. All three know what it takes to win. And all three will be hunting McLaughlin-Levrone the moment she steps onto the line.

But Sydney isn’t walking unarmed. Her best over the sprint hurdles is 12.65, clocked back in 2021, and she recently posted 12.71 into a headwind. She’s shown flashes of speed on the flat too, with a 22.07 in the 200m and a respectable 7.33 over 60m. Still, the 100m dash is new ground. Pure sprint. No margin for error. For most, stepping out of a specialty this dominant would feel like a risk.

For Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, it looks more like evolution. She’s not chasing comfort. She’s chasing greatness. Across every inch of the track. And fans cannot be happier and more excited about the entire happening. 

Fans share their two cents on Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s bold step

As soon as the news went viral, fans quickly flocked to the comments section. McLaughlin-Levrone’s entry into the 100m hurdles over the 200m or 400m sprint has some fans conflicted. One even admitted, “Wish she joined the long sprints, but I’ll take this.” Considering her 22.07 in the 200m and her recent 400m flat wins, the fan’s wish is logical.

But her decision to jump into a sprint-heavy, high-pressure double shows she’s after something more than comfort. Her choice to tackle both short sprints in a single weekend sent social media into a frenzy. As one fan put it, “This is going to feed generations 😩🔥.” This isn’t just another event switch. Rather, it’s a legacy play. Taking on two of the most technical and unforgiving events highlights the kind of ambition that echoes far beyond this season.

The short hurdles aren’t just competitive, they’re loaded! With Masai Russell’s 12.17 and Danielle Williams’ world titles, the stakes are sky-high. So it’s no surprise a fan remarked, “Women’s 100 m h is the most competitive event in the sport right now, so I don’t expect Sydney to win.” But the same fan still wants to “see what her 100m speed looks like,” validating the intrigue she brings, even as an underdog.

Not everyone is sold on the sprint hurdle switch. One fan noted, “If she was switching events, she should try 200m/400m.” That’s not unfounded. Her flat speed is world-class and aligns more closely with her endurance. But McLaughlin-Levrone’s pursuit of the 100m/100mh signals a hunger for challenge, not just medal probability. Then there are those fully behind the bold leap, no questions asked.

One simple reaction summed it up: “LFG. Excited to see what she can do on this.” It captures the energy around McLaughlin-Levrone’s decision. Raw, hopeful, and charged with curiosity. For these fans, it’s not about safety. It’s about spectacle. Thus, with a daring challenge on hand, it now remains to be seen whether Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone can come out on the bright side of the spectrum.