Can a sprinter also become a yoga instructor? It’s a question that may seem contradictory at first glance, but Lina Nielsen, a British sprinter-hurdler, breaks such stereotypes. She is a hurdler and a yoga instructor too, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t point her multipotentialite talent for the world. While specializing in the 400m hurdles, an event dominated by athletes like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, an American record-breaker, Lina exhibits versatility beyond the track. Her recent triumph at the World Relay Championships in the Bahamas on May 4-5 showcased her prowess.

Now that Lina Nielsen has secured her spot for the Paris Olympics, the question on everyone’s mind is whether she can surpass McLaughlin’s record. Reflecting on Nielsen’s past remarks, there’s a sense of cautious optimism, tinged with the memory of McLaughlin’s feat in 2022, when she shattered the world record with a blistering 50.68-second sprint. Nielsen’s insights, shared during her appearance on the Business of Sport podcast last year, provide a fascinating glimpse into her mindset as she gears up for this monumental challenge.

Lina Nielsen’s heartfelt concern about squaring off against her contender

In an episode of the podcast titled “MS won’t stop me achieving my dreams,” Lina Nielsen delved into the remarkable evolution of the 400 hurdles event. Nielsen recounted the significant advancements witnessed over the past four to five years, particularly in relation to the world record times. Reflecting on the era preceding these changes, she recalled that the world record stood at around 52 seconds during the previous Olympic Games.

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Sydney McLaughlin of the US exceeded all expectations, and smashed the previous record by two seconds, clocking in at an astonishing 50.68 seconds in 2022. Nielsen, while amazed by McLaughlin’s performance, couldn’t ignore the growing disparity between herself and the frontrunners. Nielsen openly acknowledged that while she would have been just two seconds shy of the winning time in past years, boasting her record of 400m: 51.54 (set in Gainesville, FL, 2022), the present landscape presents a stark contrast, with her now lagging behind by nearly four seconds.

With McLaughlin setting the bar miles ahead of her competitors, Nielsen recognizes the formidable challenge ahead, especially with the Paris Olympics looming. But she remains undeterred, maintaining a focus on her own journey. It’s worth noting that Sydney McLaughlin took a break of 20 months from the 400m race, making her renaissance to Paris all the more uphill and herculean, but she trudges along, like the champion that she is.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s epic resurgence at the mute Oxy Invitational

Sydney took a hiatus from competition in mid-2023 due to a knee injury, opting out of the 2023 World Championships as she set her sights on the Olympic year. However, she recently made a comeback at the Oxy Invitational. Although she was supposed to participate in the 400m hurdles after a 20-month break, she unexpectedly competed in the 100m hurdles category instead.

At the Oxy Invitational, the 24-year-old Tokyo Olympic Champion showed her prowess by crossing the finish line in 12.71 seconds, just 0.06 seconds behind her personal best from 2021. Yet, the anticipation in the track world remains centered on her return to the 400m hurdles. However, it will be interesting to see both of them, Lina Nielsen and Sydney Levrone giving it their all on the stomping ground at the Paris Olympics. Who’ll take the golden crown home? Time will tell.