Can Sydney McLaughlin Break the 400m World Record? | It's Harder Than We Think

Since Sydney McLaughlin Broke the 400m Hurdle World Record in a time of 50.68 seconds, everyone has been questioning what she would be able to do in the open 400m, specifically, if she would be able to break the World Record there as well.
Despite being a once in a generation athlete, I think we need to put some perspective on how challenging not only that 400m record is, but also how moving from the hurdles to the flat event is not just a simple task of moving the hurdles off the track.
But can McLaughlin actually break the world record in the Open 400m?

[@h.j.b.3978]

A bit of background of this world record.The 400m world record was set at the World Cup on October 6, 1985 in Canberra, Australia by sprinter Marita Koch from the former GDR. Another member of the 1983 and 1984 GDR women's 400m gold medal and world record relay teams was Gesine Walther. In 2010, she told the German news magazine "Spiegel" that she "did not want to continue lying" Gesine Walther had herself removed from the list of record holders by the German Athletics Federation because this list would tie her to and involve her in the criminality and doping practices of the GDR. Another sprinter from the GDR had done the same. Both wanted to draw a public line under their doping past. The aforementioned quarter-miler relay team of the GDR also included Marita Koch, the world record holder in the 400 meters. In 1991, the German discus thrower Brigitte Berendonk published her book "Doping Documents" together with her husband, the Heidelberg molecular biologist Professor Werner Franke, a very renowned and well-known anti-doping expert According to the book, Marita Koch was given annual doses of between 530 and 1,460 milligrams of the anabolic steroid Oral-Turinabol between 1981 and 1984.

[@smoothnubian]

of course. we all know that record is dirty

[@HughHo]

That's helpful, specific evidence. Thanks!

[@arizjones]

Werner Franke, a Heidelberg biologist has obtained a letter from 1980 Olympic gold medalist Marita Koch to the chief of the state-owned pharmaceutical company that supplied her with steroids. In the letter, Koch complained that a teammate, Baerbel Woeckel, was getting larger doses than she because Woeckel had a relative at the drug firm.

[@thearab59]

Pity Marita Koch has never admitted the truth. But she married the coach that likely drugged her. She is committed to the lie.

[@MrCombs-fk6bn]

Of course the men also took steroids and yet the 400m WR for men has been broken multiple time since Lee Evens record in 1968.

[@waynebo248]

I think the biggest factor will be how much she is able to add to her top end speed - which she rarely touches as a 400mh runner. A 47.59 will require some SERIOUS speed. The 400m hurdles are more about strength, rhythm & technique. Obviously, she has perfected that. I believe you will see Kersee having her running some 200's and even 100's as Sydney gets more accustomed to "opening the throttle" all the way instead of controlling her speed. Honestly, I think she is the only woman on earth who can make a legitimate run at it. Training with Athing Mu will definitely be beneficial. This should be fun to watch! 😁

[@arizjones]

A big factor would be if she took steroids like Maria Koch did.

[@Leonidas-eu9bb]

@@arizjones lol you idiot no serious track athlete took steroids since Gatlin. Nowadays there is much better, saver and harder detectable stuff. Steroids would help women much more than men obviously. But we all know how the women in the 80s look like..

[@arizjones]

@@Leonidas-eu9bb You miss my point? The fact that McLaughlin has to beat a an obviously tainted record? I'm not saying McLaughlin would do it. The record she is chasing was done because of an East German organized PED program that is well documented. That record should be removed from the record books.

[@waynebo248]

@@arizjones Right. But since she is legitimately a once-in-a-generation athlete, I think we'd like to see what she can do without the juice. 😏

[@arizjones]

@@waynebo248 I was never indicating McLaughlin would use PEDs. I'm saying the record for the 400 was done using. Not sure why you are not understanding.

[@lamster70]

Frankly I don't think any of the 80's individual WR can be broken. We all know why. But I do believe Sydney is capable of breaking Marie-José Pérec's OR of 48.25.

[@windbringer9890]

i wouldn't put it past McLaughlin

[@patwilliams6579]

Salwa Eid Naser beat Sydney McLaughlin in the 400 easily. They are only 6-9 months apart in age. Naser beat Allyson Felix and Miller Uibo in the 400. Also Paulino beat Milly Oibo too.

[@waynebo248]

@@patwilliams6579 And then got suspended for missing doping tests. 🤷🏾‍♂️ We'll see what happens with her. I was suspicious of that 48.14 the night she ran it. Hopefully she's clean and ready to compete.

[@patwilliams6579]

@@waynebo248 Naser Beat Miller Uibo and Allyson Felix at the age of 19. She will be just fine.

[@Xx-po1fu]

@@patwilliams6579 That time is questionable because Naser was then suspended for 2 years for missing multiple drug tests.

[@elijahmandel320]

So many people talk about the WR for Mclaighlin but I think it would be a massive success for her if she just broke SSR’s American record. That record is getting pretty old and is no joke. I think 48.3 is something she can definitely do if she focuses on the event

[@TheFinalLeg]

Agreed! Almost 20 years since SRR ran 48.70 now back in 2006!

[@brioquery]

@@TheFinalLeg I was wondering who SSR was for a moment. Thanks for the correction.

[@TheFinalLeg]

@@brioquery no worries, yea Sanya, Richards-Ross, so many abbreviations in T&F.

[@brioquery]

@@TheFinalLeg I’m a former 400m runner myself, and like SRR, I was born in Jamaica too.

[@randyrios1748]

great video! been watching mclaughlin running since she came on the scene when she was in high school. Just a rare talent that can really take any record she put her mind towards.

[@markboots_]

If they both choose to focus on the 400 flat. I think Sydney and Femke Bol can push eachother to those sub 48's this year. To beat that WR will still be a huge task.

[@OLCtv]

Sydney getting that world record and I'm excited for it more than anything else in track. Ready to see these women records go

[@brigidm6279]

I'm a newbie to watching track and still learning a lot. Thanks for your videos--they're great. Super informative and easy to follow!

[@TheFinalLeg]

Absolutely! Thanks so much for watching!

[@MichaelJohnson-wk8tk]

I believe Sydney has the potential to do great things in the flat 400. Being realistic, however, that 47.6 is very tough. Koch was a 10.8/21.7 runner in the shorter sprints and had tremendous speed endurance. I wish Syd the best of luck.

[@aarondavidson907]

And a tremendous amount of steroids

[@thomasgreen1914]

And the steroids she used

[@19Kamau79]

It's well known fact high testosterone level is beneficial mostly for 400m and 800m distances. Women could be fast or endurant but massive lactate level suits greatly for men.

[@JM-um3un]

Plus, Marita Koch, being from the former East Germany machine, was on steroids.

[@jordantan291]

Could not agree more. Until we know what her speed is in the shorter distances all this talk of her breaking the second longest WR in women track is totally premature.

[@shockjay]

If it was that easy then Karsten Warholm would do the same on the men’s side given how much he has taken the men’s 400M hurdles world record under 46 seconds. One also forgets that, unlike Warholm and McLaughlin, Marita Koch was an accomplished 100M/200M runner as well…a reverse version of Fred Kerley.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Very good point, Koch was excellent at the 100/200 with her 10.83 and 21.71 personal bests respectively. I will note that the men's 400mH are relatively different for the fact that the hurdle highest are much higher, even when taking into account women generally being shorter than men, but also men have been competing in the 400mH literally since 1900. So I'm hesitant to make any exact comparisons between the men's and women's hurdle events. But you make some good point!

[@bowhunter8532]

Koch was an accomplished steroid user...that record should not stand today

[@friedemannkemm63]

According to Marita Koch, a 400m race is decided on the first 50 meters. The last 300m of the race, everybody runs on the same speed anyway. If you watch her world record race, you will see that on the last 100m, others were faster than her. As the key for winning her races, she mentions that during the indoor season, they were not allowed to run the 400m races, but had to do the short distances. That also enabled her to at least once run a world record over 200m. Considering the improvement of both, the shoes and the tracks, it is expected that any top athlete who is willing to do the same amount and quality of training will be able to break that record.

[@weljenks]

No one with eyes can doubt that the 400 and 800 records were very likely drug enhanced. Track needs to abolish records from periods where there wasn’t modern testing. The women who ran the 400/800 records had the physiques of muscle bound men. It’s another stain on the sport. And they occurred in an era where cheating was rampant to boot. I think Sydney could get there nonetheless. There are 15 year old high school males who run that easily and an athlete like Sydney can probably get to that level with her speed and endurance.

[@Hengel_Andrews]

You say that, but there have been drug cheats since and before, but those cheats didn’t even come close.

[@weljenks]

@@Hengel_Andrews those records were during the blatant Eastern European bloc anabolic steroids era. There may have been cheating since but not like that. No one has come close because they aren’t taking that much anabolic steroids. If you gave Sydney that enhancement she’d be running 45 seconds and she’d look like a man….just like the 400 and 800 record holders did in their day.

[@jcyberj]

However, with modern training programs, a wider field of runners, and psychiatrics, an African woman will dust that record. Why do you think the powers that be tried to keep people of African origin out of the higher levels of the sport? And the runners are already here and will letting loose in heavy competition, break all of the sprint records.

[@billucf96]

Eastern Bloc countries and China had government backed cheating from the late 60's into the 80's.

[@9ine_598]

We live in a society where a person is innocent until proven guilty.

[@kensoo3063]

Great analysis of the scale of the challenge for McLaughlin.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamstawildman]

I just went to somewhere close to the middle of this video. The world record is 47.60 and the dude was explaining that to break it, a woman would have to run not 47.90, not 47.80, not 47.70 and not even 47.60, but actually 47.59. Thank you for explaining how time, numbers and records work. We learn something new every day.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Haha Cant tell if this is sarcasm or not😅, but I was just highlighting the fact that some people think because McLaughlin has run so fast over hurdles, she should be able to break the 400m record, not realizing for far into 47 seconds that record is. But thanks for watching!

[@alankaplan7686]

i like this guy he understands track and field. i ran the 400m and the 400m hurdles. great commentary

[@TheFinalLeg]

Really appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@erniea1175]

A great point by drtslim. Nobody knows the true potential of a young athlete of course, but her progression over the past 3 years suggests we’re not even close to seeing the best of Sydney yet. As with all athletes at this level, there are many things that can derail her assault on the record books, but if she stays healthy and focused I believe she’ll eventually get it done. Warms my heart every time I see another illegitimate WR fall!

[@mts7274]

Nothing illegitimate about the current WR in the women's 400m, and with the faster tracks, shoes, and advanced training methods, it all comes down to how determined the athlete is. Now... if you want to talk PED abuse, look no further than Flo Jo. All that HGH she took ended up killing her at a young age.

[@williamburdon6993]

the women runners at the 400 seem to do really well between the ages of 25 to 28 for some reason . The world record is certainly a possibility

[@DY-zk2zt]

Nice video 👍 One thing syd definitely has is the heart + full support of her family. That could be the final factor to unleash the adrenaline rush to 400 record greatness.

[@joeyd4364]

In season, Sydney could break 49 on any day. 48 low would probably be her best for 2023. The future could likely see a sub 48. 47.60 may not be in reach, but after her amazing world record, I wouldn't bet against her. 🙂🏃‍♀️

[@TheFinalLeg]

Agreed! Thanks for watching!

[@reasonforliving3174]

@@TheFinalLeg YOUR A JOKE FOR NOT MENTIONING THE POSSIBILITY OF DOPING. UNFORTUNATE

[@DMT-ix9zj]

Great take on the WR and Sydney going for it. I think she can do it god bless her Go Sydney!!.

[@richardgallimore5976]

Great analysis. I personally believe she's around a 48 mid to high capability now based mostly on the relay split & going by the "middle prediction" of your 1.5-3 second differential between the 400mH & 400m. I want to get excited & believe she's closer to low-48, but I don't want to keep my hopes up. Karstan Warholm ran a sub-46 400mH, but he isn't running 43 highs in the flat for example. In saying that Karstan I would say is more technically sound at hurdles compared to his opponent's, while Sydney's strengths seem more similar to Rai Benjamin's, where obviously their hurdle technique is world class, but their strength shows a lot, which means some 400mH runners will convert better to 400m than others, & I do think Sydney will convert better than Warholm for example.

[@waynebo248]

Great point. I agree 100% 👍🏾

[@certifiedchaos4643]

48.8 and she probably could average 49.5

[@patwilliams6579]

I agree. Just watching Sydney and Naser try to break the WR will be a treat

[@certifiedchaos4643]

@@patwilliams6579 yea that diamond league race was crazy. Both child prodigies who cashed in on their potential

[@joeortiz7715]

Remember, Koch was among the athletes named in the documents uncovered of the drug use in East Germany. She was loaded with Oral Turinabol. Not to say she wasn't talented enough, but without the help, she would've probably been a consistent 49+ performer.

[@danicadabic9789]

Both Koch and Kratochvilova used doping heavily at the time. Pretty much, most of the Eastern European results are marked with an asterisk, although even Carl Lewis said something like "Well, those were different times", implying that more often than not, everyone used something.

[@x-calibearusallc]

Not many people mention her training mate Athing Mu. They are both capable of some VERY fast times.

[@trumplostlol3007]

I believe Sydney can run 800m too. But she is much more likely to break the 400m world record. Maybe she will start running 800m when she gets older.

[@virgilius7036]

Athing don't have the required speed.

[@jcyberj]

Back in the day, many were "juiced", but it took a while for tech to catch up. Years ago, the folks damaged by these chemical enhancements, confessed to the press. Training has advanced, too.

[@albertleibold1415]

Great analysis. 👍

[@TheFinalLeg]

Appreciate that, thanks for watching!!

[@tahj677]

Records are meant to be broken but let’s face it, every record will reach a point where it can’t be broken. 🤷‍♂

[@TheFinalLeg]

Interesting, so you think the 400m record is at that point? The world thought that about the 100m and 200m records, but we have finally seen the women approach that. Thanks for watching!

[@tahj677]

@@TheFinalLeg 400m record will probably be broken. I’m just saying there’s a time when every record will reach a point where it won’t be broken.

[@arathgomez172]

@@tahj677 I disagree. Technological advancements will always help out.

[@tahj677]

@@arathgomez172 To imply that all records will be broken will be like saying someone will eventually run 100meters in 4 seconds. 🥴

[@lorettadeloggio5148]

I think everyone's overlooking her youth. Look to see what she's doing in 2026, and consider her next several years the training period. Compare to Armand Duplantis in the pole vault. He started breaking records when he was 18, and has every record there is to be had at 22. But pole vaulters tend to peak at ages 28-30. The same is true of Yaroslava Mahuchikh, a 21-year-old high jumper from the Ukraine, who won a bronze medal at the Olympics while still young enough to set a junior world record. The same is true of runners; from physical strength to technique to the ability to shut out the roaring of the crowds and stay in the zone. Another significant factor that keeps records breaking in every sport is technology. From the material of the track to the composition of the shoes, the starting blocks, and the shape and material of the track suit, faster is automatic. Have you ever seen the 1924 Olympics, when Harold Abrahams dug a hole in a cinder track with a trowel to make starting point to push off from? What could he have run in 2024? What technology will change for Sydney McLaughlin?

[@TheFinalLeg]

All such amazing and great points you made! Thanks for watching!

[@drtslim]

My observation is that a split in the 4x400 is about 0.5-0.7 seconds faster than what a runner can do in the open 400. So, I'd estimate that Sydney McLaughlin's 47.9 split roughly translates to something in the 48.4-48.6 range in the open 400. But, from what we're seeing in her continuing to improve and get faster, she hasn't reached her peak yet; so I definitely think that she has a shot at getting the WR, or at least going under 48 seconds.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Good point, and the split approximation I think is relatively accurate. The relay split is a good indication, but like I noted, its sometimes hard to predict a direct relay to flat 400 conversion. Sanya Richards-Ross should have been much closer to 48.00 in the relay based on what she had done in the flat. But in general I agree, McLaughlin should be able to at least get close to sub 48, if she puts the work in. Thanks for watching!

[@drtslim]

@@TheFinalLeg I agree about SRR. But so many of her splits were from her running anchor legs with huge leads, so she wasn't always pushed to run as fast as she could have (i.e. the 48.4 split from the 2009 World Championships where she noticeably eased up at the end)

[@TheFinalLeg]

@@drtslim Your definitely right, like London 2012 and Berlin 2009 as you said, she had a huge lead and nothing to chase. But as an exceptional athlete, I would have expected her be able to run fast from the front, like Athing Mu in Tokyo, McLaughlin in Oregon, Michael Johnson in Stuttgart 1993, Jeremy Wariner in Beijing 2008 etc. Funny enough, you can argue SRR's best relay leg is probably the 49.3 leadoff leg she ran in Daegu 2011. I think thats top 3 fastest relay legs ever

[@drtslim]

@@TheFinalLeg Probably, it's not often that we see sub-50 second (let alone low 49 second) lead-off legs

[@grahamstrouse1165]

I think you’re about right.

[@dpasv]

Coming in late to this discussion. However, I couldn't agree more with several points that you highlighted and those that commented. I also see this record in similar fashion as the women's 4x400m record. Requiring as I believe you alluded to...company! Koch v. Kratochvílová, Perec v. Freeman, SRR v. Felix/ Ohuruogu, Miller-Uibo v. Naser, as examples. How much did their battles affect the overall performances when reserves were called for? Certainly the focus and preparation, no? Though I realize the relay record was a topic previously discussed. Again, solid points made throughout. Will continue to read these cogent articles of thought and those of others when you post them.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Absolutely agree. Competition may be necessary to really get down to a super fast time. Thanks for watching!

[@pugita1232]

Something rather scary about Koch's WR is that, despide the drugs accusations, she theorically could've ran much faster. Firstly, she used a very agressive pace by running the first 200 in 22.4, that time would've been enough to win bronze at the 2019 WCs; With a more controlled first 200m (let's say somewhere around 23.2 - 23.4), she could've hitten something around 47.2; Adding to that, she ran that time from lane 2 which is known as a tough lane to run the 400m. In less words, with a much controlled pace and running from either lane 5; 6 or 7; she could've ran a high 46.

[@TheFinalLeg]

You got it right, scary. I think there is something to be said that the fact she was in lane 2, she had to go our a bit quicker to compensate for the inside tighter lane. But I do think your about right, 47-low at least would have been possible from a middle/outside lane. Actually, considering the fast pace she ran the first half in, It makes me think of Van Niekerk in Rio, had to go out fast because he was in lane 8. If Koch was in lane 8, she may have gone out even faster, and honestly, probably still would have held on!

[@isovideo7497]

Given this was a PED-induced record, I'm not sure I really care about anything she did or could have done. These records need to be expunged from the record books.

[@nsxperformance]

Koch’s fastest 400m always had sub23 splits through 200m. When she tried a more conservative race model she couldn’t capitalise on it. The lane draw is where she’d have gained more time. Also her speed was at an all time high. She ran 21.56 in an electronic time trial in the week leading up to the 47.60, and also ran 21.90 on the same day (-0.7)

[@arizjones]

@@isovideo7497 Werner Franke, a Heidelberg biologist has obtained a letter from 1980 Olympic gold medalist Marita Koch to the chief of the state-owned pharmaceutical company that supplied her with steroids. In the letter, Koch complained that a teammate, Baerbel Woeckel, was getting larger doses than she because Woeckel had a relative at the drug firm. Koch was given between 530 and 1,460 milligrams of the anabolic steroid Oral-Tuinabol on regular intervals between 1881 and 1984.

[@joeortiz7715]

@@arizjones So She was fully aware of the drug enhanced times, and now denies it. Back in the early 80s, in an interview, she said her training varied, but was always hard. But she didn't mention any supporting means (that's how they referred to the Doping).

[@yannisperantonakis2379]

Totally different disciplines. The 400m WR is untouchable. One would need the speed of a world class 100m and 200m runner just to hope for.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Good point, the sprint speed would likely be necessary to be able to run something that fast in the 400m

[@josephnewman713]

I believe Mclaughlin has a chance to break the record. 6 months ago I would have said the opposite, but after watching her speed on the back stretch in her latest 400 hurdles WR, I changed my mind. In under 2 years she has taken Dalilah Muhammad's WR of 52.16 down to 51.9, then 51.47, and finally 50.68. How did she do it? She went from coming from behind with good speed and incredible endurance, to being faster and more explosive from the start and maintaining her endurance through the finish. She went from catching Dalilah on the home stretch, to crushing the stagger on the back stretch. Looking at her 47.9 split at the world championships, the handoff was clean, but very conservative. Sydney did not benefit greatly from a running start in that race. Provided she focuses on the open 400, I think she will break 48.3 in 2023 and has a good chance, barring injury, to challenge the WR in 24/25.

[@nsxperformance]

Sydney’s current flat 400m PR 50.07 had 100m splits (my analysis to tenth) of 12.3, 23.3 (11.0), 36.0 (12.7), 50.0 (14.0).. clearly she is capable of much faster even then as the conditions were awful (rain, cool temperature).. You’d have to think she was capable of 49.5 even back then in 2018. I have her at 200: 22.6, 300: 34.6 (12.0), 400: 47.9 (13.3) in her anchor leg at this year’s Worlds. It’ll be interesting to see how she runs the open 400m next year

[@nsxperformance]

@@TheJackOfAllTrades777 12.0 is unrealistic 300-400m for a Woman considering the fastest ever is 12.59 (Seyni 49.19 in 2019 Lausanne). WR splits were 11.70 + 10.77 + 11.75 + 13.38. Sydney would really have to improve her flat speed and do something miraculous

[@georgec2894]

From 30th July 1996 to 2nd Ocotber 2019 (over 23 years!) only one woman ran under 48.89 (and that was 'only' 48.7 by a very talented SRR in '06). It's a bit indirect, but I think this shows how difficult the WR is (ignoring a possble lack of talent in the event at that time). Always enjoy your videos, especially the stats! :)

[@TheFinalLeg]

This is such a good point and I agree that further highlights the challenge. I'm working on a video about that "drout" period in the women's 400m in the 90s and 2000s. It's interesting how we look at sub 49 as a huge deal (which it is!) When prior to 1997 it was "common". Granted the 80s are filed with questions, but unfortunately these are the lists and records on the books. Thanks for watching!

[@georgec2894]

@@TheFinalLeg Cool - sounds like a great video topic! If you remove Pechonkina's 2003 Tula run, you could argue a similar, if less pronounced pattern in the 400 mH (1999 world champs being the final-flurry of 90's 'strength'), before the event felt stagnant until maybe the Lashinda Demus, Melaine Walker rivalry around '08-'12 period.

[@TheFinalLeg]

@@georgec2894 Thats a good point about the 400mH. Ive always felt the event had never really met the potential it could have had. Muhammad and McLaughlin really put the event into the space is should be. I think women should have been running 51 seconds along time ago. But considering how young the event is, I think its just taken some time to learn to to properly attack it. Well see how Mclaughling, Bol, Wilson and others are able to continue to progress the event!

[@grahamstrouse1165]

@@TheFinalLeghere really aren’t a lot of questions where the ‘80s were concerned unless the question was, “Okay, is here in this room is not loaded to the gills with drugs?” The stuff they were using back then was actually more powerful (for the most part) than the steroids modern athletes use. It was also a lot easier to detect.

[@Stephen-sr2pb]

Since the fall of the Berlin wall records have been found in East Germany that show that Koch was given anabolic steroids by her coaches. Koch is blameless in this and she was effectively being poisoned by the people who should have been protecting her. But it does cast a big doubt over the validity of the 400M record she holds. May own view is that any athletics records set by East Germans prior to 1989 should be abolished. The smell coming off them is just too strong.

[@cobramanphil]

I have to agree. The question wasn't whether they were taking anabolic steroids, it was how much or how often they were cycling it. The women from the Russian team were shaving their faces...that's not natural and that pretty much spells it out what they were doing. Unfortunately it is in the record books and it will stand as is. The only positive is that with current/modern runners like McLaughlin, it shows how much more advanced training and talent has improved for women since then...which is a good thing.

[@r-ina]

Damn I've been hearing a sh*t ton of people say most track athletes back in the day were juicin it out. It makes me kinda lose hope as an athlete that these records are probably going to be broken..

[@cobramanphil]

@@r-ina That's the way it was...even at college levels they were juicing...especially in the sprints. I've seen it firsthand and it definitely either put the pressure to partake in the injections or just quit the sport and just move on to other things that would not risk your health.

[@RANDOMZBOSSMAN1]

Honestly any record set pre 1989 should have an asterisk on it as there was literally was literally *no* out of competition testing for the competitors It was open season regarding doping not saying doping doesn’t happen today but it’s more restricted in what you can do with more tests and a biological passport and the whereabouts program

[@swampdickie]

what about f.Joyner? It's been reported that she had to shave twice a day because all the stuff she was on was turning her into a man. True? we don't know.

[@isovideo7497]

Sydney seems to run about 0.6 seconds faster each year! See her wikipedia page for her best progression in the hurdles from the age of 14 onward. This progression is extraordinary, and we have no idea how long it can continue. If she can get near 50.0 in the hurdles in 2023, then I think the 400m flat record is in real danger, maybe in 2024.

[@claude_k]

2024 is an Olympic year, I believe she would switch to flat afterwards if she does...

[@Hengel_Andrews]

“EASILY” no! The record will NEVER be broken nor the 800m. The owners of the 400m and 800m records have held 100, 200 and 400m WR in their careers

[@TheFinalLeg]

Very good point! Koch and Kratochvilova were such versatile athletes, there is a reason both Thier records have lasted so long. And Kratochvilova's 400 record was only bettered by Koch anyway. One day the records will do down, just wanted to put perspective on how tough it really is. Record talk is fun, but these records are different. Thanks for watching!

[@175139]

I absolutely think that Sydney is capable of breaking the long-standing WR. I think the primary pre-requisite for her doing so will be in her developing the ability to go sub-22 in the 200m. She will then have the complete tool kit to run 47.5 or lower. It will be interesting to see how the 400m develops over the next few years, since there is a wealth of talent in the USA alone. For me, the two wild cards are Athing Mu and Abby Steiner. Both have the potential to go VERY quick in the open 400m. I feel sorry for any team that has to go up against the USA 4x400m team in Paris 2024!

[@TheFinalLeg]

Great points! Thanks for watching! Agreed that Paris 4x4 will be crazy with Steiner, McLaughlin, Wilson, Diggs!

[@reasonforliving3174]

Don't forget Bol as well

[@isovideo7497]

Britton Wilson just did a 49.48 indoors - possibly equivalent to a 48.5-48.8 outdoors?

[@cloudbudget]

Really great video. It must have been hard to avoid discussing the eastern European doping era that existed when the women's records in the 400m and 800m were set. So there it is.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Thanks for watching! Yea Ofcourse we are all well aware of the things that happened with Eastern Bloc countries, but I just want to focus on what we have in front of us. The record is what it is so the athletes have to go out and attack it.

[@princeandrew5430]

Do you believe Nasser’s 48.14 was run clean?

[@TheFinalLeg]

Though there are unfortunately questions considering her whereabouts violations occurred around the time of the 2019 worlds, her mark stands on the books and it is what it is. I would question the times of Koch and Kratochvílová considering the known and documented issues with the Eastern Block countries in the 1980s, but again, the times and records stand, so thats what everyone has to chase.

[@jessegoodman9462]

Salwa Naser most likely ran a clean race. Her time was kept as the third fastest time because the tests she missed were outside the window where a banned substance could have aided her performance. This is the real world record imo.

[@princeandrew5430]

@@jessegoodman9462 So the fact the tests were outside the window in which the substance could have aided her performance means she’s clean then? 😂 No suspicion that any tests closer to the event would have also needed to have been missed? Cycle on cycle off…? 😉

[@jessegoodman9462]

@@princeandrew5430 I said most likely clean. However, there is one way she could redeem herself and remove any doubt. She needs to repeat that performance or improve on it in 2023.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

@@TheFinalLegThe most suspicious records in the books are the pre-89 women’s sprinting & throwing records & the late ‘90s to 2004 middle/long distance everything. Certainly there are still shenanigans going on but it’s nothing compared to the Soviet Block Steroid Era or the EPO era. Designer drugs are a lot pricier but the effects are not nearly as dramatic as the juice that was loose during the ‘70s & ‘80s. And it’s hard to beat EPO & blood doping for endurance athletes. I think non-pharmacological technology (shoes, track surfaces) may be having almost as much of an impact on times now as drugs did then. If only someone could start convincing people that long jump was still cool…

[@johnnythompson5361]

Love your video! Last name of WR holder is spelled Koch, but pronounced Cook

[@TheFinalLeg]

Thanks for watching! And thanks for the correction as well! I'll be sure to pronounce it correctly next time😅

[@marjorjorietillman856]

I believe both Sydney and AThing Mu are going to break the world records in their respective fields, within the next 5 years. I know Sydney Faith tells her that ALL things are possible. And that’s the type attitude one is going to need to break a record that has stood for almost 40 years!

[@joeortiz7715]

Agreed 👍. Can't wait to see the new records set on the natural.

[@mf5202]

Don't know about Mu. This british runner really pushed her to the limit in the 800 at the World's. Mu needs to work on her turnover and speed to get to the next level. She needs another gear to close.

[@willaimoconnell9430]

@@mf5202 I agree. I didnt see the in shape dedication of a Number One athlete last year. She is young so that maybe nothing. But she is young and we don't know yet. I dont see the disciplined grinder one sees in Steiner, or Sydney or say a Ledecki ( who is an off the charts worker)

[@mdelg030]

If Athing Mu and Sydney train together and both go for the 400m WR there’s a good chance that they can run fast. I’d say their chance of breaking the record is around 5% at the moment. We’d have to see after a year of racing. There are too many variables at the moment.

[@virgilius7036]

In a single year she gained 0.78 on its own record. How many this year? She trains her speed currently!

[@sonnysmith2991]

Great job on this video. Keep up the great work! I also think Femke Bol is a sleeper, if she decides to pursue a season of open 400. Didn’t she come close to breaking 48 in one of her anchor legs at this past Olympics? She’s a very strong runner too.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Thanks for watching! True that Bol is a sleeper for sure. She ran 48.52 on anchor at the European Championships this year, 48.97 anchor in Tokyo so she has the ability for sure. I'm not sure she would be in sub 48 second talk based on what we have seen yet, but she has mid 48 potential for sure.

[@MrVpassenheim]

True. Bol already has a 49.44 400. She'll definitely run sub 49 with time, but 47.6 is still a good distance away.

[@joostprins3381]

@@TheFinalLeg Bol ran the even older WR on the 400 indoor, after she broke the WBT of the 500 indoor. It’s mind breaking to see Sydney and Bol competing against each other.

[@virgilius7036]

She don't have the required speed. Best time in 200m only 22.64 this year, while Sydney ran 22.39 at 18 years old in 2018.

[@virgilius7036]

@@TheFinalLeg But Sydney ran 47.91 on anchor at Eugene.

[@gregmyrland2515]

Based on her recent splits and utter dominance in hurdles I think Sydney will do it. Maybe take 2023 as a learning year and then watch out 2024, I bet she breaks it more than once.

[@henrytberry]

What a thoughtful and reasoned analysis. Obviously the analyst would love to see Sydney McLaughlin break the record, and so would I. She is a wonderful athlete, and like Allyson Felix, is one of those figures that makes people watch track & field and feel good about the sport. But as the man said, the Koch record has stood for a long time and some terrific runners have tried to break it. I think that as good as she is, it's no sure thing. I'm cheering for her.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Really appreciate that, thanks for watching!

[@Hazeleyedbri]

It's harder than we think is because the East German runner was probably on ROIDS! I ♥ Sydney and Athing. I think they can BOTH do it. Go Jersey Girls

[@adegbenroagoro5180]

I immediately thought of Femke Boi whose career is a bit similar. The first woman to do the 400/400H double at a global championship. Her personal best is 49.44 seconds. Sydney is yet to focus on this event at senior level but an initial expectation of 48.50 seconds is realistic. If she runs that in the next one year then 2024 could be a really big year for her. When she beats Miller-Uibo’s personal best of 48.36 seconds I’ll shout “Game on !!!” . Age, her coaching crew and present day advances in nutrition and track surfaces and running shoes are all in her favour

[@henkdriktrautmann5611]

Femke Bol or Sydney, I think when they run together and bring out the best in eacht other the 400m outdoor record wil go down.

[@MrVpassenheim]

I think she'll run a flat start 48 low next year and 47 high by Paris. She won't challenge the WR until 2025 or later, but she has a 35% chance of breaking it. It'll take the perfect race.

[@joeortiz7715]

Agreed 👍

[@redrust3]

Nobody thought that Bob Beamon’s 29’2” long jump record set in the thin air of Mexico City in 196. would ever be broken. Mike Powell broke it in 1991, 23 years later. As of 2022, 54 years after his feat, the Olympic record remains…

[@TheFinalLeg]

Excellent point! Thanks for watching!

[@kimchee94112]

47.99 (1983), 47.60 (1985) something magically special in East and Central Europe during the 80s, not to be repeated again. Salwa Eid Naser could be the first sub 48. McLaughlin could as well if she concentrate on the open 400-meter.

[@richardjolley6474]

That something that was "magically special" was that the communist countries were notorious for doping their athletes. 95% of the records were from communist countries. Doping has more affect on women than men. Back in the eighties , those athletes were setting multiple world records. It is extremely rare that an athlete can set more than two world records in an event. (Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, and Michael Johnson.) Doesn't anyone wonder why all those women's world records have not been broken in 40 years?

[@beebeedaley9712]

Yeah...it's calling cheating...they doped heavily!

[@kallenomalle]

Nobody can beat Marita Koch for the next 200 years. The 47.6 stands forever in our lifetime.

[@Track.Guru.Monkey]

Why exactly do you think nobody can break Marita Koch's 400m WR of 47.60 within the next 200 years? Why don't you think that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is on the verge of break Marita Koch's 400m WR of 47.60, at the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships, considering the percentages by which she has increased her performance over the 400mH and the 400m/4x400m from 2018 when she was racing against her competition to 2022 when she was racing against herself and the clock and especially considering the success of her amazing and mind blowing performance in the 400m at the 2023 Paris DL?

[@lawmteachhakchhuak2386]

Thats what am waitng for and the world is waiting for 😊

[@nakenyakarim7830]

Salwa Eid Nasser is still on the scene and will be coming back! Now we all love Syd but she is no where new as fast as Salwa. Lets see what the future holds.

[@Meechooilka]

Ato Boldon talks a lot, but he also knows everything about the sport. If he thinks she can run the 400m WR, I have no reason to doubt him. I think she totally will. We just gotta hope she stays healthy.

[@CHEETAH69]

I feel like raw speed needs to be considered here and it isn’t. I believe Jarmila ran the 100 in 10.9-11.0 and the 200 in 21.9 while Marita ran times of 10.8/21.7. So though tremendous speed endurance is necessary , so too will be short-distance speed. Sydney is working with Bobby and he surely knows how to bring the speed out of women athletes. I’m just wondering if he can bring enough out of her to get her into the 47.5 region.

[@Meechooilka]

We know nothing about Sydney's 100/200m speed because she doesn't run those events. She ran 12.6 100mH, which is pretty fast. Those doped women of the 80s ran everything because they could.

[@2011hwalker]

If she took anywhere near the same levels of roids as Koch she would smash it. Its laughable the Koch record is still acknowledged. She probably had the testosterone levels of a 19 year old man....

[@senojelyk]

If nothing else, tracks and spikes keep improving, so those juice-era records will go eventually. It seems more likely to me that hard competition from the likes of Sydney Mac might push a 400 meter specialist like Uibo to break it.

[@jeffjeff8562]

I would love to see her break it, but that record is unbreakable. I believe it was done using ped's. My prediction is she won't even come close. Maybe a low 48, but that might even be difficult. There have been many world class women running the 400m flat for decades since the record. And no one has even come close, relatively. Shaune Miller-Uibo is the one who might have a chance to go under 48 soon. If she stays healthy and age doesn't catch up to her AND she stays motivated. Miller-Uibo is not going to let Sydney beat her. Miller-Uibo is much faster than Sydney anyway. I guess we'll see, but I have a feeling I'm not going to be proven wrong.

[@bowhunter8532]

Some people have such good hurdle form that taking them away really doesn't make it all that much easier for them. And the women's hurdles are so short it isn't that much extra energy being used. Look at Kirsten Warholm. Everyone assumed he could run so much faster in the open 400 but when he ran the open he wasn't that much faster. And the reason why that open 400 women's record has stood for as long as it has is due to steroids. That is why no-one has approached it.

[@arocct]

Best 400m in 2022 were 48.99 & 49.11, 1.39 & 1.50 off Koch Record. Sydney's 50.68 beat everyone in 22' by 1.59 (Bol) or greater.

[@joaofernandodasilva681]

I love her because she's so humble and God is with her in all her goals.

[@mariojuanfuentesarrieta9084]

Yesssss 👍

[@TylerOrchowski]

I think she can do it. I ran 400 and 400h in college, and my open time was over 4 seconds faster. Sydney training exclusively for the event should be able to do it. Her relay split gets her close. Dedicated training and the right race conditions should get her the rest of the way.

[@liamcorbett2856]

100m, 400m and 800m WRs, they were doped up to their eyeballs! These ‘records’ need to be removed from the record books!!

[@claude_k]

I suppose she will first be focused on improving her hurdles time to the best she believes she can achieve; I don't see her going to 400 flat right away. But if she decides to go flat, it is obviously to get the record, and she definitely needs to do it while in her prime.... Good thing her prime as an athlete has barely started I suppose ;-) Maybe after the 2024 Paris Olympics? ALSO, in all cases, I am sure she won't move to flat before she puts the hurdles WR under 50' (and that may come rather quickly, so soon to become an irrelevant point ;-)

[@virgilius7036]

At 18 Sydney ran 400m in 50.07 in the rain. With the proper training what will she do at 23? On the hurdles at 18 his record was 53.60. The difference with the flat is therefore 53.60 - 50.07 = 3.53. His record over hurdles being 50.68 - 3.53 = 47.15

[@iamspartacus3114]

Very interesting analysis and presentation illustrating how something that looks like it should be obvious is ....not.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Appreciate that, Thanks for watching!

[@kurman4749]

A vital factor in Marita Koch's astonishing 400 metres world record of 47.60 which was set in 1985, was the GDR's adoption of the use of drugs into the training programmes. Admittedly Koch was a brilliant natural talent, but there is no doubt that her track performances were improved by state sponsored drug use. It is extremely doubtful that Koch would have set that world record in the 400 metres without the aid of an illegal stimulant.

[@1man1bike1road]

why no mention of the indoor records recently being broken by a certain Dutch Sprinter at 400m and 500m isnt she in the hunt ?

[@TheFinalLeg]

I made this video in December before the indoor season started so this was before Femke Bol or Britton Wilson ran thier indoor 400m times

[@bkmeahan]

The reason the world record is almost 40 years old is because Marita Koch was doped to the gills. Keep in Mind that Sydney is only 23 years old. Looking at other 400 m runners, she is still a few years from her peak. Marita Koch set the WR at 28y8m. At 23 years old, Koch's best 400 time was 48.60 (which she ran at 22y8 m). If Sydney does the flat 400 in 2023 and is in the low 48s or high 47s, then it is very realistic that, if she stays healthy and injury free, she could very well break the WR.

[@ddahstan6876]

Tough to beat for sure as the old record was most likely doped up. It's going to take fiery, fearless legs to bring down the number. But who knows, McLaughlin might have the steam in her for the feast, especially as she's not even reaching her peak yet!

[@lunarsabbatical7906]

Don’t forget flojo’s 200 meter record there are a few men and women’s records that at the very least need an asterisk.

[@swampdickie]

Have you read what was discovered when the autopsy was performed on f.joyner? The real data is on record.

[@drytool]

Sydney McLaughlin is athlete of the year in my book, but that guy running his first marathon in 2:01:53 is INSANE!

[@andrewklinedinst727]

That 2:01 guys is obviously on drug, I have 0 dought in my mind that he is.

[@drytool]

@@andrewklinedinst727 I didn't think of that.

[@dougclark9921]

Those 70s and 80s records from the Soviet bloc runners are extremely suspect.

[@david2804me]

As a lifelong athletics participant and fan old enough to remember the East German and Russian state-sponsored, drug-fueled cheating of the 1970s and 80s, it infuriates me that these women´s records, including the 400m, are allowed still to be in the record books. None of the performances from those days is clean as is quite evident from the fact that, in the women´s events, the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, Long Jump, High Jump, Heptathlon, Shot Putt, and Discus all still date from the 1980s which would never otherwise be the case nearly 40 years later if those women back then had not benefitted from so much artificial testosterone and other performance enhancing substances. To be fair, there was, (and, in Russia, it is still sponsored by the state), doping in a number of other countries like the US (Marion Jones), Canada (Ben Johnson) etc so it was not just the Eastern Europeans but they were certainly the worst culprits because governments were involved in it. There were many other unproven but very justified suspicions like for Flo Jo, Jackie Joyner, Heike Dresschler to name just a few so, in my opinion, IAAF should scrub all these women´s times from back then off the books.

[@danburby7936]

THE ONLY WAY SYDNEY WILL BREAK THE FLAT 400M MARK IS IF SHE HAS A PERFECT PACER,LIKE FEMKE OR ABBIE,AND EITHER OF THOSE TWO COULD WIN AND GET THE RECORD TOO

[@jonathanabq]

She’s also getting stronger and not in her prime yet

[@jasonmdt]

Gonna be super tough for a clean athlete to beat a doped athlete. But I hope Sydney eventually does it!

[@therealscoobydoo]

Great 400m sprinters are usually would class at the 100m and 200m, Koch was a 10.8x 100m sprinter. I know Sydney is probably better at the short sprints than most of us realize, but if she and her coaches knew she could win medals in the 100m and 200m, there is no way she would not be running those events. Also, extrapolating from her 400h times and her 400m relays splits puts her in the mid-48s, which is long way off from the 47.6 WR. A more worthy goal is the Sanya Richards-Ross 400m U.S. record of 48.70. Unfortunately for Sydney and all female athletes, they have to contend with some insanely fast times from the 1980s.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Great points here! And I agree, her first target should be SRR's American Record, which is almost 20 years old at this point! Thanks for watching!

[@gabers]

I'm personally more excited to see her challenged by the likes of Athing or Shaunae than get the WR. Neither she, Mu or Shaunae has been tested in a couple of of years and I would love to see that head to head. Rivalries are exciting, whereas once (IF) she breaks the WR the next question will be, "when can she go even faster?". I don't think she can get that WR, and it's not for a lack or talent, it's a huge feat and that record is very suspect. I think the American record is within her powers.

[@Meechooilka]

I don't think Athing will even be seriously contesting 400m flat, I don't know why everyone is saying that. She is an 800m runner.

[@x-calibearusallc]

@@Meechooilka although Athing certainly prefers the 800 as her event, she does hold the collegiate record in the 400m. She has the talent and the speed. It’s hard to really say.

[@Meechooilka]

@@x-calibearusallc You are right, she does. But she also has a 800m WR to target before she can seriously challenge 400. But, of course, who knows. We will see what happens.

[@x-calibearusallc]

@@Meechooilka before Mu became a known celebrity, back in her early years of running, she ran the 100, 200, 400 and 800. She kicked a lot of butt back then (AAU).

[@rjh6037]

She’s smart, fast and beautiful. And yeah she can take that world record.

[@lyndongordon1763]

Yes ! 😇

[@_Francois1]

I got got Sydney Mclaughlin taking that record she is once in a generation special. She been dominating these women while she was in high school.

[@hikerJohn]

Koch was 28 years old when she set the record. McLaughlin is 25. How fast was Koch at 25 years old?

[@wilhelmw3455]

At last some intelligent analysis because there are so many uninformed people making extraordinary predictions.

[@nightworg]

To be honest I don't se her running 47.59. I do think she can run sup 48 if she focus on the 400 m distance for a couple of years. Then again it is Sydney McLaughlin who have done the impossibly in the 400 m hurdles. 50.68 is just insane.

[@ozwunder69]

i think you are spot on.. unless she spent a good 12 months dedicated to flat running it ain't happening..

[@Jaysg0tti]

I think if Shaunae Miller-Uibo stays running the 400m and we see Sydney McLaughlin & Athing Mu also compete in the event, that world record is GONE. Period. Any 3 of them are capable.

[@Jaysg0tti]

Shaunae went 48.3 running ALONE in Tokyo. Sydney went 50.6 running ALONE in Oregon. It’s def possible:

[@TheFinalLeg]

Excellent point that she ran that 48.30 all alone in Tokyo (she was also slightly injured!) Thanks for watching!!

[@matthewsenior4208]

I hope she does break it but I believe she will run around 48.4.

[@xof-woodworkinghobbyist]

Maybe the competition with Abby Steiner coming from the sprint will be a great ally to beat that 400m flat record.

[@Alessandro-1977]

What a sadness track and field (and sport in general) was at those times...the first victims being athletes themself, in the end !

[@robws007]

The US has a potential embarrassment of riches in the women's open 400m: Sydney McLaughlin, Athing Mu and Abby Steiner could all do phenomenal things in the next season or two, not to mention the depth that's already there with all the current 400m specialists.

[@Plamkata69]

The only way to beat the world record is to use the GDR methods. It was a science back then how to do it. So, i can tell you. They had high mountain training facilities 2000 m above sea level. Training there for longer time like 3 weeks would adjust your metabolism to lower level of oxygen and you go to the competition straight from the mountains and you have extra oxygen tank for your run without taking any doping. So, the athletes were clean, no steroids, but still amazing records till now. That's how you do it.

[@AndyZach]

Records were made to be broken. I think Sydney can break it, but she'll have to train long and hard.

[@sawanihon8262]

The Dutch lady is also special and will get stronger!

[@njbpaul]

bro that flat 400m WR is a lot of speed . Mclauglin is not a raw sprinter. Look at Felex and Shuna who are both sub 22 secs 200m sprinters never got close to that WR. I can see her running 48s but 47.6 i'm not sure about that .

[@darrylb5247]

My guess is that she can do it in 3 years...49.x this year, 48.x next year and sub-48 in 3 years...peaking with a WR of roughly 47.5 as i feel she can drop 3.2 seconds from her 50.68 400m Hurdles record which is about 47.48... round that to 47.5 ...just 1/10th better than Koch after 40 years or more! Now that she is MARRIED...will that HELP her or HINDER her FOCUS on this NEW CHALLENGE?...Only time will tell! With FULL SUPPORT she'll just barely do it! If it is distracting or causing her any kind of hurdle (pardon the pun) she probably won't be able to do it! That's a testament to the HIGH BAR of this 400m record!

[@Max-OCATCBuff]

Hopefully SM can/will take the proverbial baton for US 400m excellence from Felix. Interesting to discuss the 400m record w/out the doping elephant in the room. Both Koch and CSSR 2nd place/800m WR are... suspect