Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone vs Femke Bol - Head-to-head comparison of the two athletes as they are set to clash this Olympic season

With the 2024 Paris Olympics drawing near, the anticipation for the clash between Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol is increasing. Both athletes went head-to-head at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene.

At the 2020 Summer Olympics, McLaughlin displayed her exceptional athletics prowess in the women's 400m hurdles by securing a gold medal after registering a stunning time of 51.46 seconds to set a new world record. She left behind Dalilah Muhammad and Femke Bol, who clocked 51.58 and 52.03 seconds, respectively.

During the 2022 World Athletics Championships at the home arena, Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, McLaughlin-Levrone, again cemented her prospects as a promising sprinter by clinching a gold medal in the same event, clocking an impressive time of 50.68 seconds to her previous record.

Bol crossed the finish line behind the American sprinter, clocking 52.27 seconds. However, McLaughlin-Levrone had to withdraw from the 2023 WAC citing a knee injury. Bol dominated the 400m hurdles in Budapest, posting a stunning time of 51.70 seconds.

While McLaughlin-Levrone will compete in her first 400m hurdles event in the 2024 Olympic year at the 2024 USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix on Saturday, May 18, Bol has already displayed her prospects as a formidable contender at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, clocking a world record of 49.17 seconds.

She also led the Dutch squad to secure a spot for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the mixed 4x400m event at the 2024 World Athletics Relays held in Nassau, Bahamas, clocking a split of 49.63 seconds. As both athletes continue to make significant strides in their performances, their upcoming clashes promise to be a thrilling and intense showdown.

"Paris is a dream come true" - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone expresses ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reacts after winning the Women's 400m Final during the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships.

Along with a gold medal in the 400m hurdles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone also secured gold in the women's 4x400m relay.

The 24-year-old, along with Allyson Felix, Dalilah Muhammad, and Athing Mu clocked a striking time of 3:16.85 to leave behind the Polish and the Jamaican squads, registering 3:20.53 and 3:21.42, respectively.

During an interview with NBC News, she expressed her excitement for the upcoming Games while revealing her goal to be better than the Tokyo Olympics.

“I just want to be better than I was in Tokyo. Improve upon myself. I don’t know what event I’ll possibly be doing, but just represent Team USA very well,” McLaughlin-Levrone said.

"Paris is a dream come true," she added.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will also be seen competing at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, to be held in June in Eugene, Oregon.