TOKYO, JAPAN — University of Kentucky track and field alumna Sydney McLaughlin of Team USA won gold in the Olympic 400-meter hurdles with a new world record of 51.46.
The previous world record also belonged to McLaughlin after she ran 51.90 at U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
“Just trust in the process, giving the glory to God,” McLaughlin told NBC’s Lewis Johnson.
“It’s all the season, hard work, dedication, and just really grateful to be able to represent my country and just have this opportunity.”
The Wildcat from Dunellen, New Jersey, finished with the fastest time of semifinals with a time of 53.03, closely followed by Team USA teammate Dellilah Muhammad, who went on to win the silver medal.
“Is this the example of iron sharpening iron?” Johnson asked.
“100%,” McLaughlin responded.
McLaughlin ran for UK in the 2017-18 season before becoming a professional runner. In one season at UK, she was the 2018 NCAA Champion in the 400m hurdles and SEC Champion in the 400m dash (indoor), 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay.
She was also a five-time All-American, collegiate record-holder in the 400m hurdles (52.75) and finalist for the Bowerman Award. Prior to running for UK, McLaughlin ran in the Rio 2016 Olympics.
McLaughlin’s gold medal-winning performance joined two more UK track and field alumnae who have won medals in Tokyo, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Keni Harrison.
Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico ran an Olympic record in the 100m hurdles for the gold medal, closely followed by Team USA’s Harrison for silver.
Daniel Roberts of Team USA ran about 30 minutes before McLaughlin, placing fifth in his semifinal heat of the 110m hurdles. He will not advance to the final.
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Read more on all 22 Wildcats competing in the delayed 2020 Olympics here.
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