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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has heaped praise on her family, including her husband, for their crucial roles in helping shape her to be the dominant hurdler she now is.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning Olympic champion in the 400m hurdles, has spoken fondly of her family's critical role in moulding her into the world-class athlete she is today. The American track star, who continues to push the boundaries of the sport, credits her family’s competitive spirit for helping her strive for greatness.
Since breaking onto the scene in 2021, McLaughlin-Levrone has redefined what is possible in the 400m hurdles. She first captured the world’s attention at the U.S. Olympic Trials, where she set a new world record with a jaw-dropping time of 51.90 seconds, dethroning Dalilah Muhammad, the defending Olympic champion. That moment marked the beginning of McLaughlin-Levrone’s era of dominance.
Her most recent and remarkable feat came at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she shattered her own world record, completing the 400m hurdles in an astonishing 50.37 seconds. At just 25 years old, the track sensation has already cemented her legacy as one of the greatest in the sport.
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08:19 - 20.09.2024
'Nothing short of God's grace' - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opens up on breaking her world record for sixth time at the Paris Olympics
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has reflected on her faith and resilience after breaking her 400m hurdles world record for the sixth time.
In a recent appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, McLaughlin-Levrone reflected on her family’s unwavering support and the role they played in her rise to prominence.
"My whole family, we all run track, my sports siblings, there are four of us and then my parents as well. My husband was a player in the NFL so all the athletes understand it is a family function, and so I would not be able to do it without them," she explained.
McLaughlin-Levrone is married to former NFL star Andre Levrone, who played for teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, and Jacksonville Jaguars before retiring in 2020.
Growing up in a family that thrived on competition, it was inevitable that McLaughlin-Levrone would develop a similar mindset. "We were always competitive growing up, even running to breakfast was a competition, so it was a natural inclination being a McLaughlin," she added with a smile.
Her family's presence has been a constant source of motivation, particularly during her golden moments in Paris, where she not only secured victory in the 400m hurdles but also helped the U.S. 4x400m relay team claim gold. After the race, McLaughlin-Levrone was spotted wearing a tiara, a symbolic gesture celebrating her triumph.
When asked about the significance of the tiara, she revealed, "My sister-in-law brought that. I never told her to. I thought she was joking, but she was serious. It was just about commemorating the moment."
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15:50 - 19.09.2024
Why Femke Bol is in no rush to follow rival Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in fully transitioning to the flat 400m
Why Femke Bol is in no rush to follow Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone into fully transitioning into flat 400m running.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s Olympic journey began as a 17-year-old prodigy at the 2016 Rio Games. At the time, she was relatively inexperienced and found the world stage overwhelming. Reflecting on that period, she said, "At Rio, I was 17 years old and was thrown into the world stage not knowing what to expect."
Though she didn’t achieve the success she would later become known for, that experience laid the groundwork for her future triumphs.
"I think I have grown so much since then. Now I understand what it takes to compete at this level, and so that experience helped. Tokyo just kind of prepared me, and this was my first full Olympics," McLaughlin-Levrone stated, referring to her gold medal-winning performance at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Her growth from a wide-eyed teenage prodigy into a poised and unbeatable champion has been nothing short of remarkable. With her family by her side, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone continues to inspire the world, leaving an indelible mark on the history of athletics.
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