Sydney McLaughlin cruised through the 400-meter hurdle prelims on Friday night in Tokyo, comfortably winning her heat in 54.65.
The former Kentucky track star turned household name is currently the world-record holder in the 400m hurdles with a time of 51.90, which she recorded at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials last month in Oregon.
During the race Friday, McLaughlin was so far ahead of the other runners that she was practically able to jog down the homestretch after the last hurdle.
Following the race, McLaughlin was all business, telling a reporter: “Pressure is an illusion.”
"Pressure is an illusion" -Sydney McLaughlinI love this. pic.twitter.com/zmiZmNS4gt— πππππ'π πππΌππΌππ ππππππππΉ (@Useless_Samurai) July 31, 2021
"Pressure is an illusion" -Sydney McLaughlinI love this. pic.twitter.com/zmiZmNS4gt
McLaughlin next races Monday in the semifinals of the 400m hurdles. American Dalilah Muhammad also advanced to the semifinals after winning her heat Friday in 53.97, the fastest of the first round.
Watch McLaughlin’s win in the prelims:
Did you even break a sweat, @GoSydGo?@usatf x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/Us3W4o4Ein— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 31, 2021
Did you even break a sweat, @GoSydGo?@usatf x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/Us3W4o4Ein