Sydney McLaughlin

Paris, Aug 8 (PL) A world record, an Olympic record and another for the African continent were set today at the Stade de France, where the United States reaffirmed its position at the top of Olympic athletics with three gold medals.

American Sidney Mclaughlin-Levrone imposed her favoritism in the 400 meter hurdles by going around the oval in 50.37 seconds, breaking the world record and astonishing the 80 thousand fans present in the stadium.

A day after celebrating her 25th birthday, the now double Olympic gold medalist displaced her compatriot Anna Cockrell (51.87) and the reigning world champion, Femke Bol of the Netherlands (52.15) by more than a second.

In the field, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeen surprised by throwing the javelin at a distance of 92.97 meters in his second attempt to set a record for summer events and beat the great Indian favorite Neeraj Chopra.

The title, the first for his country in these Olympic Games, had a better taste when it was won by a man who, in addition to winning in the last version of Tokyo, is the current universal champion.

One of the best moments of the day was the victory of Botswana's Letsile Tebogo in the 200-meter dash with a time of 19.45 seconds, the best time ever obtained by an African at that distance.

The historic title was the first ever won by an athlete from that country in the history of the Olympic Games.

Two other Americans climbed to the top of the podium on this date for their country to close the medal table with nine gold medals and maintain its hegemony in the king of sports.

Grant Holloway climbed to Olympus in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 12.99 seconds, to displace his compatriot Daniel Roberts and Jamaican Rasheed Broadbell, both with a time of 13.09.

Finally, Tara Davis-Woodhall, who was also the favorite in the long jump, jumped 7.10 meters to win the precious metal.

The silver medal went to Germany's Malaika Mihambo (6.98) and the bronze went to American Jasmine Moore (6.96).