American breaks her own world record in 400m hurdles

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has broken the women's 400m hurdles world record at the US Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon.

The 24-year-old Olympic champion clocked 50.65 seconds to best her own mark of 50.68 seconds set two years ago at the same Hayward Field track.

"Honestly praise God," she said in televised remarks. "I'm just amazed, baffled and in shock.

She added: "My husband asked me yesterday, 'What do you think you can do?' and I told him "I don't know,."

McLaughlin-Levrone exploded out of the blocks and took the lead immediately, soaring over each hurdle in a technically flawless performance.

She was nearly two seconds clear of the rest of the field as she crossed the finish to thunderous applause from the crowd at the heart of American track.

Anna Cockrell (52.64) was second, with Jasmine Jones (52.77) third.

McLaughlin-Levrone had only run in the event once this season before the U.S. trials but showed no signs of rust as she jogged through the finish of her semi-final in a world leading time.

The only woman ever to run faster than 51 seconds in the event, she will bid to become the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic 400 hurdles titles in Paris.

Rai Benjamin won the men's race in a world leading 46.46, the fifth-fastest of all time, as he got off to a fast start and left CJ Allen (47.81) and Trevor Bassitt (47.82) to battle down the final stretch.

Masai Russell overcame an experienced field to win the 100 hurdles in 12.25, the fastest time of the season, as Alaysha Johnson finished six hundredths of a second slower and Grace Stark was third in 12.31.

Men's indoor 800 world champion Bryce Hoppel took off at the midway point to win in a meet record 1:42.77 ahead of Hobbs Kessler (1:43.64) and Brandon Miller (1:43.97).

Nikki Hiltz (3:55.33) accelerated through the home stretch to win the women's 1500 ahead of Emily Mackay (3:55.90). Elle St. Pierre, who won the 5000 on Monday, was third in 3:55.99.

Maggie Malone Hardin will travel to her third Games after throwing 64.58m in the women's javelin, while 2022 world silver medallist Kara Winger took second with 62.94 on her last attempt and Madison Wiltrout (61.17) was third.

In the women's pole vault, Bridget Williams, Olympic champion Katie Moon and Brynn King will represent the U.S. in Paris after clearing 4.73m. Williams won the event on countback.