Sydney McLaughlin and the Philadelphia 76ers believe in the process.
For McLaughlin, her process resulted in breaking the world record in the 400-meter hurdles. For the 76ers, well, let's just say they're still processing.
The USA track and field athlete's performance not only made history, it made her the favorite to win the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Sydney McLaughlin Breaks 400m Hurdles World Record
Unbelievable ?@GoSydGo just destroyed the 400m hurdles world record.
(via @TeamUSA) pic.twitter.com/sEcQyjBPUV
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 28, 2021
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The U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon were on fire on their final day. Not literally, but the temperature might tell you otherwise. The meet was postponed for over four hours thanks to temperatures of 108 degrees in the air and 150 degrees on the surface of the track.
McLaughlin took the delay in stride.
She burst out of the gate and ran a time of 51.90 seconds, becoming the first woman ever to break the 52-second mark. Previously, fellow USA athlete Dalilah Muhammad was the record holder with a time of 52.16 seconds. Muhammad, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, finished second with a time of 52.42 seconds on Sunday's race. McLaughlin, Muhammad and third-place finisher Anna Cockrell made the Olympic team.
The 21-year-old hurdler, who attended the University of Kentucky before turning pro, attributed her win to her faith and her coach Bob Kersee.
"Trusting the process," McLaughlin cited as the reason for Sunday's result. "A lot of things you really can't see coming, but just having that childlike faith and just trusting that everything's going to work out. Bobby's really good at that and I'm really happy that I chose to go with him."
This is McLaughlin's second Olympic appearance after making the team as a 16-year-old in the 2016 Olympics. She finished fifth in her semifinal heat but didn't make the final.
McLaughlin and Muhammad are the favorites to medal at the Tokyo games. No matter who emerges victorious, the gold has a good chance of remaining on Team USA.
