Is Sidney McClaughlin the greatest track athlete of our lifetimes?

[Goatnapper'96]

She has dropped the 400H record by 1.48 seconds-so far.

I understand she is planning to focus on the open 400 next year in order to set that world record in Hungary.

I was in Track Town for Thursday and Friday's events. It was insane to watch in person-I honestly thought she would go sub 50. So many great performances at the World Championships-but that race was unreal.

My mother had been sick last week-her lungs are failing and she contracted another case of pneumonia. On Friday some family called to inform me that the end was nigh-then the information got a bit contradictory and wasn't real clear. I thought what my old man would recommend I do and it was pretty clear-let the dead bury the dead son you go ahead and watch McClaughlin set her world record! As I walked into Uncle Phil's greatest contribution to mankind Friday evening one little girl held up a sign saying: "I stayed an extra day to see Sidney set a world record!"

Just "stayed" an extra day....childs play!

[Moliere]

Quite possibly she is, although Athing Mu is also incredible.

I heard that Sidney’s 400mH time would’ve landed her in seventh place in the open 400m final. That’s insane.

I doubt she can break the open 400 record. That time was set by east Germany at the height of steroid use by the eastern bloc countries. It may never fall, but if it does I hope Sidney beats it.

[Donuthole]

She ran sub 48 in her split in the 4x400. I think she can do it.

[Goatnapper'96]

Quite possibly she is, although Athing Mu is also incredible.

I heard that Sidney’s 400mH time would’ve landed her in seventh place in the open 400m final. That’s insane.

I doubt she can break the open 400 record. That time was set by east Germany at the height of steroid use by the eastern bloc countries. It may never fall, but if it does I hope Sidney beats it.

I understand her split Sunday night was high 47's. Now splits are often faster than opens as you get a running start, but frequently your anchor leg of the 4x400 runs 5-8 meters father than 400 meters depending where the baton is passed.

I think she could break Koch's 47.5.

Truth be told I am not sure the Eastern Bloc gals had a thing on Flo-Jo wrt to juicing.

[Bo Diddley]

Yes, she's amazing. I'm looking forward with much anticipation to what she can do in the 400. Glad you got to see her race.

[Moliere]

I understand her split Sunday night was high 47's. Now splits are often faster than opens as you get a running start, but frequently your anchor leg of the 4x400 runs 5-8 meters father than 400 meters depending where the baton is passed.

I think she could break Koch's 47.5.

Truth be told I am not sure the Eastern Bloc gals had a thing on Flo-Jo wrt to juicing.

Split times can be deceptive for several reasons but she is in the neighborhood so maybe she can do it. I truly hope she does break it.

My fastest 400 time was in a relay but I was the opening leg, which can be accurate since you start from the blocks and cross the handoff line. Of course, I say it’s accurate because it was my fastest time so of course I’m going to use it .

Prandini’s third leg of the 4x100 was also amazing. She won that gold for USA in those 100 meters by giving enough cushion to hold off Jamaica on the final leg. I was also happy to see Michael Norman finally win at the world championships. I can’t believe Kerley won the 100 and then Lyles destroyed the 200. It’s good to see the Americans back on top in the sprints. Of course it wouldn’t be a world meet without the American men screwing up the 4x100 with that screwy handoff on the final leg. I’m not sure they’d have won even with a perfect handoff but it would’ve been closer.

[Art Vandelay]

I developed a crush on Sidney when I saw her run in the NCAA finals a couple years ago. Amazing athlete with an infectious smile.

With someone who knows little about track, other than the fastest person usually wins. I would have assumed that Usain Bolt was considered the GOAT of his generation and Carl Lewis his. Flo-Jo and Jackie Joyner Kersey are the first women names that come to mind. My point being, how significant is Sidney's dominance compared to previous greats, to be mentioned as a generational, let alone lifetime great?

[smokymountainrain]

I developed a crush on Sidney when I saw her run in the NCAA finals a couple years ago. Amazing athlete with an infectious smile.

With someone who knows little about track, other than the fastest person usually wins. I would have assumed that Usain Bolt was considered the GOAT of his generation and Carl Lewis his. Flo-Jo and Jackie Joyner Kersey are the first women names that come to mind. My point being, how significant is Sidney's dominance compared to previous greats, to be mentioned as a generational, let alone lifetime great?

yep. Bolt is the greatest we've seen in this generation and the GOAT. he swept the 1 and the 2 in three straight olympics - that is absolutely bonkers. that is something that had never been done previously (nobody has even come close) and we will never see again.

nevermind the fact he holds comfortable records in both the 100m and 200m. fasted dude who ever did it and he held that title for 8 straight years. just crazy.

[Moliere]

yep. Bolt is the greatest we've seen in this generation and the GOAT. he swept the 1 and the 2 in three straight olympics - that is absolutely bonkers. that is something that had never been done previously (nobody has even close) and we will never see again.

nevermind the fact he holds comfortable records in both the 100m and 200m. fasted dude who ever did it and he held that title for 8 straight years. just crazy.

Agreed on Bolt. He also did it during a time when doping was much harder to get away with and there never was a hint of him doping during his career.

[Flystripper]

I believe Syd will break the 400 record as long as she stays healthy and puts off motherhood until her 30s. She split 47.9 rule of thumb is that you add 0.7 to the 2-4 legs to estimate a 400 open time. She is probably mid 48 right now in the open 400. She is only 22 and if she focuses on the event she can knock of a second. It will take some time and things will have to line up for her but she can do it. I would be surprised if she was able to do it as fast as next year.

[clackamascoug]

I feel the need to acknowledge Sidney - if she's not the best - she's at least my favorite track athlete.