Youth versus experience. Speed versus technique. The world-record holder is opposed to the defending champion of the Olympic and world track and field events. The Tokyo Olympics track and fields competition is full of drama, excitement, and promise.Qualifying rounds begin Friday at 8 p.m. ET: The slight favorite is Sydney McLaughlin (21-year-old prodigy hailing from Dunellen, New Jersey) who will run the qualifying rounds in under 52 seconds. McLaughlin, who set the world record at 51.90 on the U.S. Olympic trials on June 27, overtook Dalilah Muhammad, the world champion going into the final hurdle. Muhammad was second in 52.42 after overcoming health problems this season.It's too early to call this race the passing of the torch. This is why Tokyo's anticipation is so exciting. Muhammad, 31 years old, won gold at Rio Olympics 2016. She defeated McLaughlin in Doha to win the world title and lower her world record to 52.16.Sanya Richards Roses, the 2012 Olympic 400m champion, stated in an interview that "this battle has been epic over the past two years." It is unlike anything I have ever seen. They are the best we have ever seen. You almost feel like the world record is at risk every time they step onto the track."Femke Bol, 21, from the Netherlands, ran 52.37 this season. She is the only one who appears capable of surprising the Americans. Shamier Little, USA, ran 52.39 this year. She was the third fastest in the world, but she didn't qualify for the Olympics, having fallen on the eighth hurdle at trials. Anna Cockrell of the USA was third in Tokyo, running a personal record 53.70 at trials.McLaughlin's incredible closing speed was able to defeat Muhammad in July, despite Muhammad's impeccable technique. All this is set up for an amazing final in Tokyo on Tuesday, at 10:30 p.m. ET.McLaughlin stated that he acknowledged the world record but that the job was not over at the virtual news conference last week.McLaughlin was 16 years old when she made the 2016 Olympic team. However, she did not make it past the semifinals. Before turning pro, McLaughlin competed for one year at the University of Kentucky. In 2020, she switched to Bobby Kersee as her coach. She has seen a steady improvement in her technique, including her ability jump off the other leg. In addition, she has been vocal about her Christian faith on Instagram, which she attributes with helping her find peace amid the stress of her athletic pursuits.Sydney McLaughlin broke the world record with 51.90 meters in the 400-meter hurdles at U.S. Olympic trials. Ashley Landis/APMcLaughlin reflected on her time at the Rio Olympics, saying, "As an individual, [I've] changed] just understanding more about the woman I want," "Making the 16-member team was a difficult decision. Not only in the sport world, but as a teenager. These five years have been essential in helping me figure out who and what I want.Muhammad, a Queens, New York native, was infected with COVID-19 twice during pandemic. She had also injured her hamstring earlier in the season. Despite not being in peak form, she ran her third fastest time ever at trials. She is determined to return to the top of the podium.She told Vogue that she wanted to prove to people that anything is possible, if they put their minds to it. We all face many challenges. But if we stick to our goals, and do what we want, everything is possible. I have had COVID-19 twice in the past year, and both times were successful. There were many times when I was going along with my coach, and I thought it was impossible to do this. We just kept pushing me. Because we've come so far, I want everyone to hear that story. Just to be there is something special.Results"Now that I am here, I want win and to just see what the human body can do when you put your mind into it."It was amazing to see what her body accomplished in trials, between recovery from COVID treatment and her injury. She only had three races this season.Richards-Ross stated, "For her to race 52.4 was mind-blowing." Given what she has been through, it was almost as impressive as the world record, pound-for-pound. This race will be very fair, I believe. Sydney is an extraordinary talent. Her speed makes her dangerous and she has been working with Kersee since then. It's not certain that Sydney will be the Olympic champ.Richards-Ross describes their rivalry as "exhilarating" and "a bit intimidating". It can be overwhelming to think about how many times I must race this person every time -- that is what can make it daunting. These two women are able to meet and exceed all expectations every time.McLaughlin, Muhammad and one other racer set a new world record the last three times they competed in a championship final. Let's hope Tokyo is the fourth.
