What rivalry?

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone destroyed Femke Bol in what was expected to be a fierce showdown in the 400-meter hurdles at the Paris Olympics, breaking her own world record.

McLaughlin-Levrone clocked 50.37 seconds, followed by fellow American Anna Cockrell (51.87). Bol finished third in 52.15.

McLaughlin-Levrone has not lost since the 2019 world championships.

Her aura of invincibility generated hope for a rival to make things interesting.

Enter Bol, who emerged as McLaughlin-Levrones biggest threat.

The two had only raced twice before the Paris final in the 2021 Olympics final and the 2022 World Championships. McLaughlin-Levrone won both handily in world record time.

Then the Dutch hurdler broke through with a 2023 world championship in McLaughlin-Levrones absence. She also closed to within 0.3 seconds of McLaughlin-Levrones 50.65 world record just before Paris.

At the Paris Games, Bol showed off her flat speed with an astonishing 47.93 anchor leg to stun the Americans in the mixed 4x400 relay, earning the Netherlands Olympic gold.

That heightened expectations for a tight battle.

It didnt happen.

McLaughlin-Levrone was just too fast.