By Chris Chavez
August 11, 2023
U.S. champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will not compete at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest due to a knee injury.
Here’s what you need to know:
– McLaughlin-Levrone announced the scratch on Instagram: “After consulting with my doctors and coaches, I need to take care of a minor knee issue so that I can be fully healthy for next year’s Paris Olympics. I look forward to seeing everyone back on the track soon!”
– McLaughlin-Levrone is the reigning world champion in the 400m hurdles but opted to focus on the 400m this season and won the U.S. Championships in 48.74, which is the second-fastest time in American history. She was just four-hundredths of a second away from Sanya Richards-Ross’ American record.
– McLaughlin is the fastest woman in the world for 400m in 2023. In her absence, Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino, the world championship and Olympic silver medalist in the event, is the favorite for gold.
– Lynna Irby-Jackson, who was fourth at the U.S. Championship 400m final, will replace McLaughlin-Levrone in the 400m. She joins a team that includes NCAA record holder Britton Wilson and last year’s U.S. champion Talitha Diggs.
Chris Chavez
Chris Chavez launched CITIUS MAG in 2016 as a passion project while working full-time for Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and grew his humble blog into a multi-pronged media company. He completed all six World Marathon Majors and is an aspiring sub-five-minute miler.
