Former Kentucky stars McLaughlin-Levrone and Holmes lead Team USA to gold in 4x400 relay

Former University of Kentucky track and field star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone added to her career Olympic medal haul while fellow ex-Wildcat Alexis Holmes earned her first Saturday in Paris.

The pair were key parts of the United States’ gold medal-winning squad that set an American Olympic record (3:15.27) in dominant fashion, while the Netherlands took silver and Great Britain won bronze. Shamier Little led off for the U.S. and handed off to McLaughlin-Levrone, who then provided a huge lead that proved insurmountable. Gabby Thomas ran the third leg and Holmes finished off the victory as the team’s anchor.

It was McLaughlin-Levrone’s second gold medal of this Games and the fourth of her career. She has won the 400-meter hurdles and been part of the winning 4x400-meter relay squads in both Tokyo and Paris.

Holmes finished sixth in the 400 hurles in Paris, her Olympic debut.

Former UK track and field stars had already earned two medals in hurdles in Paris in addition to McLaughlin-Levrone’s world record in the 400 hurdles: Masai Russell prevailed in the women’s 100-meter hurdles while Daniel Roberts took silver in the men’s 110-meter hurdles.

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