On a rain-soaked track Monday evening in Rio, America’s youngest Olympic track athlete advanced to the semifinals in the women’s 400-meter hurdles. Sydney McLaughlin, who turned 17 two days after the Opening Ceremony, ran 56.32 to take fifth in her heat.
The top three in each of the six heats earned a qualifying spot for the next round, though McLaughlin had one of the six fastest times outside of the automatic bids, ensuring she will have another chance to run at Olympic Stadium.
After the race where she finished more than two seconds off her personal best—aDavid Roche Smashes Leadville Course Record that she set at the U.S. Olympic Trials in July—McLaughlin said, “I think a lot of things had an effect on me. It is the weather and the thousands of people in the crowd. I’m cold. There’s so much to process into one race and trying to overcome at one time. I’m not really particularly happy with my performance, but whatever happens, happens.”
McLaughlin is a high school student from Scotch Plains, New Jersey. When she returns from Rio she will commence her senior year. Classmates, teachers, and friends gathered at a watch party at the school during McLaughlin’s race.
“It’s exciting to be here but also a little intimidating,” she said after the race. “A lot of people that have done this before and have more experience.”
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“I have to start my summer reading; I think that’s next on my summer agenda,” she said.
Her teachers probably won’t mind that the assignments will have to wait a little longer. McLaughlin will race again in the semifinal on Tuesday night.
Kit has been a health, fitness, and running journalist for the past five years. His work has taken him across the country, from Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, to cover the 2016 Olympic Trials to the top of Mt. Katahdin in Maine to cover Scott Jurek’s record-breaking Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2015.
Races - Places is a writer and editor living in Eugene, Oregon, and her stories about the sport, its trends, and fascinating individuals have appeared in Runner’s World Faith Kipyegon Just Misses 3K World Record, Run Your Butt Off! and Walk Your Butt Off!
