EUGENE, United States, Aug 2, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opened her US Track and Field Championships campaign with a comfortable victory in the opening heats of the women's 400m on Friday.

McLaughlin-Levrone -- the two-time reigning 400m hurdles Olympic champion -- is not competing in her specialist event in Eugene, opting instead for the 400m flat.

The 25-year-old, who has been unbeaten over the 400 hurdles since 2019, was always in control on Friday, finishing first in a time of 49.59sec, several meters clear of second-placed Lynna Irby-Jackson in 50.59sec.

McLaughlin-Levrone's time was comfortably the quickest of the first round, with no other runner ducking under the 50-second barrier.

Isabella Whittaker was second quickest in 50.07sec, with Britton Wilson third fastest in 50.25sec.

The women's 400m final takes place at Hayward Field on Saturday.