“It was both shins. My right one was a Grade 2 stress fracture, and my left one was a Grade 4 stress fracture,” the track and field star had revealed in 2023, describing the injury that derailed her Olympic dream just as she was peaking. It forced her out of the U.S. Trials and off the big stages in 2024. But in 2025, she’s back. And at the Ed Murphey Classic, she delivered a statement performance—her second win of the season. She looked like a star again. Yet one question hovered over the Memphis track: was this a triumphant return, or did the absence of the reigning champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone open the lane?
At the center of it all is American sprinter Britton Wilson. Back in June 2024, just weeks before the U.S. Olympic Trials, Wilson’s agency shared a statement confirming she would not be competing due to a lingering injury. Wilson voiced her sadness in a statement, writing, “This is not my Olympics, but my Olympics is coming.” While there’s time for that Olympics to come, she has and she is back–better than ever!
Lined up on the track at the Ed Murphey Classic on June 12, in what was her second race of the 2025 season, was Britton Wilson. “BANG!” went the gunshot, crackling through the silence, and she started steady, smooth, and slow in lane number 5 and continued like that for up to half of the race, for approximately 30 seconds, and then she went off. “Coming down 200 meters. You can see Britton Wilson starting to move up. Maisvorewa’s starting to fade back just a bit, but it’s looking like Britton Wilson coming down the homestretch,” said the commentator as she started to gain.
Wilson, who was fourth before the curve, emerged as number 1 out of it, taking a lead that she did not give up. The commentator announced, “Here they come to the finish line. Britton Wilson is two for two in her return to the track, and this time she dips well under 51 seconds,“ as she crossed the finish line in 50.54 seconds. Leah Anderson was 2nd in 50.90s while US athlete Talitha Diggs finished third with a time of 51.03 seconds. She debuted her 2025 season at the Star Athletics Sprint Series on June 14, 2025, where she clocked 51.37 for the win.
Back-to-back wins for Britton Wilson in her return to racing this season and lowers her 400m SB to 50.54 at the Ed Murphey Classic. pic.twitter.com/iv40UdmZcX
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) July 13, 2025
On the flipside, had Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone been on the starting line, the race might have taken on a different shape. With a season-best 49.43 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic, Sydney remains the gold standard in the 400m. But on this day in Memphis, it was Britton Wilson who owned the spotlight. Her 50.54s finish wasn’t just a win, it was a powerful reminder of her resilience and form. Still, one can’t help but wonder what kind of showdown it could’ve been. Even if not at her peak, Sydney’s presence on the track often shifts the energy, forcing the field to elevate. A racing Sydney would have elevated the stakes, but in her absence, Wilson seized the moment and made it count.
Why Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone did not race in the Ed Murphey Classic
You can break the world record 6 times, but you cannot run from health. Taking to her Instagram story, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone wrote, “Out of respect for fans and those who were tuning in, just wanted to update you all! Since traveling back from Prefontaine I have been dealing with sickness. My hope was it would improve enough to run today, unfortunately it did not! Good luck to everyone at the @murpheyclassic. Looking forward to USA’s! Much love to you all! God Bless.”
The four-time Olympian had clocked 49.43 seconds in the 400m at the Prefontaine Classic and was not satisfied. She had said, “It wasn’t my best work, but just happy to be here and happy to get another race under my belt.” She was looking forward to this event to test herself out before the trials for the world championships. Her absence took its toll on the event as well. As the Olympic champion and world record holder, her expected presence in the women’s 400 m was a major draw. Her withdrawal turned that into a missed spotlight moment.
The 2025 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, meant to select Team USA for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, will take place from July 31 to August 3, 2025. This is where we will see Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone next. Any predictions?
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