Sydney McLaughlin breaks own world record at Olympics

Gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin (USA) in the women's 400m hurdles during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Olympic Stadium.? Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

American track star Sydney McLaughlin breaks own world record at Tokyo Games

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 8/4/21

Team USA track and field star Sydney McLaughlin beat her own world record and took home a gold medal in the process in the women's 400-meter hurdles on Wednesday. (h/t Yahoo! Sports.)

McLaughlin, 21, posted a time of 51.48 seconds in the event. Fellow American Dalilah Muhammad, who took home gold in the event in the 2016 Games, took silver with a time of 51.58. Femke Bol of the Netherlands took home the bronze with a 52.03 time.

Sydney McLaughlin and Dalilah Muhammad embrace each other after taking gold and silver in the women's 400m hurdles ❤️ pic.twitter.com/REfI1yppVg
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 4, 2021

Considered two of the fastest women in the event, McLaughlin and Muhammad are frequently painted as rivals instead of allies. McLaughlin set the record straight recently, saying she and her 31-year-old teammate push each other along.

"I just say iron sharpens iron," McLaughlin said via Reuters. "I don’t think it’s a rivalry, there is no bad blood. It’s just two athletes wanting to be their best and knowing there is another great girl who is going to get you there."

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