Can Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone break Marita Koch’s 40-year-old record of 47.60 seconds in the women’s 400m final?

Trishana McGowan, track and field analyst: Sydney is a super talent and she’s capable of doing what we think is unattainable. She made her mark in the 400m hurdles by smashing previous records. However, the 400m is a tough event, especially after doing two rounds and the pressure to execute almost perfectly to get on to the podium.

If she’s able to repeat her run from the semi-final, it’s possible to run a championship record. It will be a tough go for her with the likes of Marileidy Paulino and Salwa Eid Naser. She has added much more excitement to the event and the world now awaits the time and position she’ll cross the line in.

Daniel Blake, sports writer: Only two things can stop her from breaking the record. One being the conditions, which have proven to be favourable, so it’s unlikely, and two is injury, God forbid. She wasn’t at full tilt when she did the 48.29 in the semis, so given she’s able to block out the noise and focus on her race like she’s proven to do time and time again in the 400m hurdles, then it’s just a matter of how much she’ll break the record by.

Rachid Parchment, sports writer: She will come as close as any woman has ever come, in this final, but I don’t see it happening yet. This record reminds me of the 10.49 set by Flo-Jo in the 100m, for all the same controversial reasons. Just like Elaine Thompson Herah came really close in 2021, I think Sydney has it in her to challenge this just the same. She’s still a young athlete in her prime, and with time, if she continues giving more priority to the flat 400m, then who knows? With continued advancements in sport science, nutrition, it’s definitely possible. In this final, I’d love to be able to say I saw it happen, but I just have a feeling it won’t. But then again, this is quite a fast track…

Leighton Levy, sports writer: I dont think so. I think she can go 48-flat to perhaps 47.9, but I think 47.60 is beyond even her, for now.

Daniel Blake.

Leighton Levy.

Rachid Parchment.