The world 400m hurdles record-holder and multiple Olympic champion may still be able to compete in Brussels but only in non-Diamond League events
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who had planned to end her incredible 2024 season by doing the 200m and 400m at the Diamond League final in Brussels, is “ineligible” to race in both events, according to Diamond League CEO Petr Stastny.
The 25-year-old claimed her second Olympic 400m hurdles gold medal in Paris – breaking her own world record with 50.37 – and was also part of the US women’s 4x400m team that stood on the top of the podium.
However, hopes of finishing off her campaign in the Belgian capital this season may be dashed after Stastny’s comments.
In an email sent to LetsRun, he stated that “it is not about allowing a specific athlete to compete or not” but “about rules and criteria which must be fulfilled by all to becoming eligible to compete at the WDL Final”.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s eligibility revolves around “global wild cards”.
Most athletes qualify for the Diamond League final through accumulating points but they can also book their spot via these wild cards.
Four global wild cards can be given out to athletes and they were created to make sure that some of the best athletes in the world compete in the Diamond League final.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Getty)
One athlete who benefited last year was Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who competed in the 3000m in Eugene.
Nevertheless, there are stipulations that have to be met for an athlete to qualify for that wild card.
According to the rules laid down by World Athletics for the Diamond League, an athlete must have either competed or achieved a result in at least one Diamond League meeting during that season.
McLaughlin-Levrone hasn’t raced at a Diamond League since last July, when she clocked 49.71 over 400m in Paris.
Stastny added: “Ms McLaughlin-Levrone does not fulfil those criteria, either by accumulating enough points or receiving a wild card.
“The final leg of the Diamond League is not an invitational meeting and any athlete proposed for a global wild card must have competed at least in one of our events during this season.”
McLaughlin-Levrone could still end her season in Brussels but it may mean running in a non-Diamond League event, which usually have weaker fields.
» Subscribe to AW magazine here
The post Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone “ineligible” for Diamond League 200m/400m finals appeared first on