Sydney McLaughlin delivered a sizzling world-record breaking 400m hurdles victory as the weather-disrupted US Olympic track and field trials drew to a thrilling close in Oregon on Sunday. The final day of the 10-day meeting in Eugene was disrupted by brutal triple-digit temperatures which blasted Hayward Field with furnace-like conditions and forced organisers to postpone afternoon events to the evening. When the action resumed in slightly cooler temperatures on Sunday evening, it was McLaughlin who stole the show, scorching to a stunning victory in 51.90sec after an epic battle with rival Dalilah Muhammad. 

The 21-year-old McLaughlin became the first woman ever to duck below the 52-second barrier after a superb tactical race against reigning Olympic and world champion Muhammad. Muhammad -- who had held the previous world record of 52.16sec following her win over McLaughlin at the 2019 World Championships in Doha -- was second in 52.42sec. Anna Cockrell claimed the third qualifying spot in 53.70sec. "I knew from the moment I woke up today that it was going to be a great day," McLaughlin said afterwards. "It's one of those moments that you dream about and think about and play in your head," she said when asked what had gone through her mind after seeing the world record as she crossed the line. "It was the final 'I did it' moment and I'm going to cherish it for the rest of my life."