Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone breaks American 400m record at World Athletics Championships

The GIST: The World Athletics Championships (aka, track & field’s most prestigious biennial international event) is underway in Tokyo — and American sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is on the precipice of history.

• Yesterday, McLaughlin-Levrone broke the 400m American record in the semis, all the more impressive considering she’s competing in this event at Worlds for the very first time. Here’s what to know about the decorated vet before the 400m final tomorrow at 9:24 a.m. ET.

💨 The McLaughlin-Levrone lore: Just 26 years old, McLaughlin-Levrone’s career is already beyond impressive. She’s a two-time Olympic champ in the 400m hurdles, an event she’s broken the world record in six times. “Dominant” doesn’t do it justice.

• But the sprinter is stepping out of her comfort zone this season, opting out of the 400m hurdles to focus on the 400m flat. Yesterday, she finished the quarter-mile race in 48.29 seconds, breaking a 19-year American record held by the legendary Sanya Richards-Ross.

📝 History’s on the line in Tokyo: Only two women have ever broken 48 seconds in the 400m. But here’s the thing: With a finals berth clearly secured, McLaughlin-Levrone appeared to ease up a bit at the end of her semis race, and it was still the fastest 400m time run by a woman this year. All to say, the longstanding world record (47.60 seconds) could be within reach. On your mark, get set…