'Be the butterfly'- When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone found freedom in faith and ink

'Be the butterfly'- When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone found freedom in faith and ink

Festus Chuma 16:30 - 24.11.2024

Back in 2020, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone began a journey of faith, freedom and transformation, symbolized by a butterfly tattoo.

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has not only etched her name in the annals of athletic history but also on her skin with a symbolic tattoo that carries a profound message.

The reigning queen of the 400m hurdles celebrated her record-breaking triumph at the Tokyo Olympics with a butterfly tattoo, a tribute to her journey from fear to faith.

After stunning the world with a historic performance in Tokyo—setting a then-world record of 51.46 seconds to claim her first Olympic gold—McLaughlin-Levrone reflected on her transformative journey.

In her debut novel, Far Beyond Gold: Running From Fear to Faith, she shared the deeply personal inspiration behind her butterfly tattoo.

“I smiled as I answered, thinking about all those times I had stepped onto the track, feeling like I could run forever, that no one could stop me, that I was free from everything that held me back,” she wrote.

“I thought about the fears that had nearly derailed my life and career, that ruined my first Olympics, and that Christ set me free from the previous year.”

The butterfly, she explained, was a symbol of the freedom she felt—not just from athletic pressure, but from the fears and insecurities that had haunted her.

The tattoo, positioned on her arm, serves as a constant reminder of the spiritual and emotional growth she’s experienced.

“I thought about the freedom of my future. No condemnation. No punishment. Forever free thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice. I thought of my dad’s words moments before my first race when I was six years old: ‘Syd, be the butterfly.’ Freedom from fear. Freedom to fly. I told the artist, ‘A butterfly.’”

McLaughlin-Levrone’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

She made her Olympic debut at just 16 during the 2016 Rio Games, failing to advance past the semifinals.

Years later, she revealed it was the fear of competing in the finals that held her back.

However, fueled by her faith and determination, she returned to the international stage stronger than ever, dominating the 2022 Eugene World Championships with a breathtaking 50.68-second finish to secure her first World Championship gold.

In the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone faced a challenging period, including a hamstring injury that sidelined her for much of 2023.

Despite these setbacks, she returned to the track with renewed vigor, resetting her own world record at the U.S. Olympic Trials before heading to Paris.

At the 2024 Paris Games, the American star delivered another awe-inspiring performance.

In the finals of the 400m hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone once again shattered her world record, clocking an unprecedented 50.37 seconds to secure her second Olympic gold medal in the event.

Looking ahead, McLaughlin-Levrone has her sights set on the 2025 World Athletics Championships where she will aim to reclaim her title as world champion.

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