Olympic track stars McLaughlin-Levrone, Mondo have world records ratified in lead-up to Paris Games

Paris, Jul 27 (AP) Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and a trio of other track and field Olympians are now officially inscribed in the record book.

World Athletics said Saturday that the world records they set earlier this year have been ratified officially after routine reviews of the events.

McLaughlin-Levrone lowered the record in the 400-meter hurdles for the fifth time, last month at the US Olympic trials, finishing in 50.65.

Other records ratified belong to: — Pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis (Sweden), whose jump of 6.24 meters (20 feet, 5 1/2 inches) on April 20 marked the eighth time he's bettered the previous record, each time by a centimetre.

— Distance runner Faith Kipyegon (Kenya), lowered the 1,500-meter mark for the second time — to 3 minutes, 49.04 seconds on July 7.

— Discus thrower Mykolas Alekna (Lithuania) broke a nearly 38-year-old record — the longest-standing record in men's track — by throwing 74.35 meters (243', 11'') on April 14 at a venue in Oklahoma widely known in that sport for its favourable throwing conditions. (AP) AYG