Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Runs Fastest 400m in 40 Years

American track sensation Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone created history by running the fastest women’s 400 metres in 40 years, clocking 47.78 seconds to win world championship gold in Tokyo on Thursday, 18 September 2025. This victory marked her successful transition from the 400m hurdles, where she is already a two-time Olympic and one-time world champion, to the flat 400m.

The Race

• Gold: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) – 47.78s
• Silver: Marileidy Paulino (Dominican Republic) – 47.98s
• Bronze: Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain) – 48.19s
• Poland’s Natalia Bukowiecka finished fourth (49.27), while Britain’s Amber Anning came fifth (49.36).

The American got off to a strong start despite heavy rain in Tokyo. Coming around the final bend, McLaughlin-Levrone surged ahead, holding off a late challenge from Paulino, the defending champion and Olympic gold medallist.

Significance of the Achievement

• McLaughlin-Levrone’s time of 47.78 seconds is the fastest since 1985, when Marita Koch of East Germany set the still-standing world record of 47.60s (under controversial doping practices of the era).
• With this performance, McLaughlin-Levrone became the second-fastest woman in history over 400m.
• Her run was also a new American record, surpassing her own 48.29s from the semifinals.

Historical Context

• Only Marita Koch (East Germany) has ever run faster than McLaughlin-Levrone’s 47.78s.
• Koch’s 47.60s world record (1985) remains one of the most controversial in athletics history, as it came during an era of state-sponsored doping.
• McLaughlin-Levrone’s clean run now places her in legitimate contention to break the longest-standing track world record.

Quick Facts

• Event: World Athletics Championships 2025 (Tokyo)
• Date: 18 September 2025
• Winner: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) – 47.78s
• McLaughlin-Levrone: Olympic golds in 400m hurdles (Tokyo 2021, Paris 2024) + World title (2022)
• Marileidy Paulino: Olympic champion (Paris 2024), World Champion (2023)