Noah Lyles

Havana, August 9 (RHC) - The champion United States has announced its list of 139 athletes for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, from August 19 to 27. The big surprise is the absence of Sydney McLaughlin in the 400-meter hurdles.

Out of the 139 athletes, 82 are returning from the Eugene 2022 World Championships, including 23 medalists from the delegation that won 13 gold medals, 9 silver medals, and 11 bronze medals.

The absence of star athlete Sydney McLaughlin, the world record holder in the women's 400-meter hurdles, is noteworthy. McLaughlin is making headlines because she will not compete in her main event to defend her title. The current world and Olympic champion will focus on the 400 meters flat.

This season, Sydney has won two finals in the 400 meters flat, including the New York Grand Prix (49.51 seconds) and the US National Championships (48.74 seconds, a personal best and the best time in the world this season so far).

Additionally, she finished second in the Diamond League event in Paris with a time of 49.71 seconds, behind the winner, Marileidy Paulino from the Dominican Republic, who set a meet record with a time of 49.12 seconds.

The US team includes notable athletes such as Fred Kerley, the defending champion in the men's 100 meters; Noah Lyles and Erriyon Knighton (200 meters); Ryan Crouser (shot put); and Olympic and world champion Athing Mu (800 meters).

The US delegation topped the medal table at Eugene 2022 with 33 medals: 13 gold, 9 silver, and 11 bronze.