Athletics-McLaughlin dazzles to new world lead in 400 metres

Jul 7, 2023; Eugene, OR, USA; Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone wins women's 400m semifinal in 49.60 during the USATF Championships at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - Sydney McLaughlin set a blistering new world lead to win the 400 metres in 48.74 seconds at the U.S. championships on Saturday, stamping out her territory in a new event a year after making magic in Eugene, Oregon, in the hurdles.

The steely McLaughlin took the immediate lead in a clinical performance before breaking the tape just shy of the U.S. record, with Britton Wilson finishing five hundredths of a second behind and Talitha Diggs taking third place in 49.93.