'I just love challenging myself' - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone eyes new horizons in the 200m and long jump

After narrowly missing Marita Koch's controversial 400m world record, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is considering new horizons on the track by adding the long jump and 200m to her already formidable repertoire.

The versatile American athlete will look at the possibilities of trying out new events, in her continued quest for an unmatchable legacy in the sport before retirement.

Coached by the legendary Bobby Kersee, and hugely supported by her husband Andre Levrone, and performance director Malachi Davis, the trio will map out her next major objective.

At the World Championships in Tokyo last month, McLaughlin-Levrone broke grounds by becoming the first woman this century to complete the 400m under 48 seconds. She clocked an astonishing 47.78s - the fastest in four decades, thus sending a clear signal that the once "eternal" Marita Koch's 47.60s world record is now within reach.

Now, the reigning Olympics 400mH champion is considering her future isn't limited to the 400m flat and hurdles, It now includes the long jump and the 200m, a testament to an athlete who continues to ascend the ranks of the sport's all-time greats.

Interestinglly, one event she has definitively ruled out is the 800m, an idea floated by World Athletics president Lord Coe. "I don't know that you'll ever find me step on the line for an 800," McLaughlin-Levrone stated in an exclusive interview with Telegraph. "I might run one in my lifetime, I'd be curious to know what I would run—but I can't even promise that."

"I've felt 400 hurdle pain. I've felt 400 pain. I don't even know what 800 pain feels like," she added. "I do love long jump. As a kid, that was probably my favourite event. I don't know what the learning curve would be at this point but I also know that Bobby coached Jackie [Joyner-Kersee] to the American record. So I'm like, 'If anyone could get me ready, it would probably be him'."

"I do also love the 200," she continued. "My dad used to say that he thought that was my event when I was a kid. I love just challenging myself, whatever arena I step into."

Whenever McLaughlin-Levrone decides to venture in the 200m and long jump, it'll be a hard nut to crack as it currently has Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Tara Davis-Woodhall, world champions in Tokyo and uraguably two of the most dominant athletes in their respective events this year.

At just 26, McLaughlin-Levrone already boasts nine Olympic and World Championship gold medals and holds the current and five previous 400m hurdles world records.

Her jaw-dropping performance in Tokyo, drew comparisons to the grainy 1985 footage of East Germany's Marita Koch, whose run in Canberra was so dominant it seemed almost surreal. That era was marred by state-sponsored doping, and while Koch has consistently denied cheating, her record has remained unchallenged for decades.

When discussing the 400m world record, she indicated it's a target she won't ignore and may see her make a serious attempt in 2026.

"I'm sure every athlete feels this interesting balance of pride and content, but also discontent, and wanting more," she reflected. "I'm already asking Bobby: 'Where's the two-tenths [of a second] at? What did you see that I could have done differently or better?' As a competitor, your mind goes to, 'Man, why couldn't I be two-tenths faster?' But I'm also super grateful for the leaps and bounds we were able to make this season."

Despite her incredible achievements, she remains driven. "I could say the same thing about the 400 hurdles—I'm not fully content there either. I definitely want to take a moment just to enjoy, breathe and take some time off," she concluded.