Sydney McLaughlin, the current world and Olympic 400-meter hurdles champion, announced Friday that a knee ailment will prevent her from competing in the World Athletics Championships, which get underway in Budapest next week.
The 24-year-old American, who set the 400-meter hurdles world record of 50.68 seconds at the World Championships in Eugene last year, said in a social media post that she had a “minor knee issue” and cannot compete.
“I am sad to share that I must withdraw this year’s World Championships meet in Budapest,” she posted.
“After consulting with my doctors and coaches, I need to take care of a minor knee issue so that I can be fully healthy for next year’s Paris Olympics. I look forward to seeing everyone back on the track soon!”
In the flat 400m this season, McLaughlin won the US title in Eugene last month with a time that set a new world record of 48.74 seconds.
Lynna Irby-Jackson, who finished fourth at the US Championships and is already on the American roster as a member of the 4x400m relay pool, will take her position on the US squad for the global competition in the 400.
In addition to helping the US 4400 relay win gold at the Tokyo Olympics, the 2022 and 2019 world championships, and the 2019 Diamond League 400 hurdles title, McLaughlin has earned a total of ten medals throughout his career.