UGENE, Ore. (Reuters) - Sydney McLaughlin smashed yet another world record in the 400 meters hurdles at the U.S. championships on Saturday, while Michael Norman won the men’s 400 meters.
In her final national championship race, Allyson Felix, the most decorated woman in track history, finished sixth in the 400.
Olympic gold medallist McLaughlin never faced a serious challenge in the final at Eugene, Oregon’s Hayward Field, breaking her own world record to win in 51.41 seconds before offering up a double-thumbs to the roaring fans.
Norman won in a world-leading 43.56 seconds, with Champion Allison and Randolph Ross finishing second and third, respectively.
“When the gun went off you could just kind of feel that everyone was elevating the performance,” said Norman, a Tokyo relay gold medallist.
The top three finishers in Eugene, Oregon, who meet certain qualifying standards, and reigning global title-holders will compete at the world championships, which will be held in the United States for the first time from July 15 at the same track.
Nineteen-year-old collegiate champion Talitha Diggs overcame an experienced field to win the women’s 400 meters final in 50.22 seconds, with Kendall Ellis finishing second to reach her third world championships and Lynna Irby taking third.
As Felix completed her final race at the national championships, the 11-time Olympic medallist summed up her emotions as gratitude, relief and “a little bit, sadness.”