Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Masai Russell break world records at Track & Field Olympic Trials

Kentucky’s track and field program will have numerous former alums and star athletes participating in this summer’s Olympic games in Paris. But we did not have to wait for the Olympics to see some world records broken in 2024.

On Sunday night in Eugene, Oregon, United States track athletes are competing in the Olympic Trials to lock up a spot on the USA Olympic team. A pair of former Cats set world records out on the West Coast.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone sets new world record in 400m hurdles

One could make the argument that Syndey McLaughlin-Levrone is the most accomplished former Kentucky athlete in the world. The 24-year-old sprinter won gold medals in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Some more gold medals could be headed her way.

On Sunday, McLaughlin-Levrone set a new world record time (50.65 seconds) in the 400m hurdles.

That broke McLaughlin-Levrone’s previous world record (50.68 seconds) set at the 2022 World Championships. Could another world record arrive at the Olympics? Anything seems possible for one of the most popular track and field athletes in the world.

Masai Russell sets record in 100m hurdles

Syndey McLaughlin-Levrone was not the only former Kentucky track sprinter to dominate hurdles out in Oregon on Sunday night. Masai Russell set an Olympic Trials record in the 100m hurdles.

The 24-year-old from Maryland has made her first Olympic team and will compete for gold at the Olympics. Russell is the NCAA record holder in the 100m hurdles and has just improved that time. That could be good enough to win the biggest prize in track and field.

Kentucky will be well represented at the Olympics in a few weeks. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Masai Russell each have an excellent chance to wear a gold medal in Paris.