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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone nearly took a step back in her career facing coaching struggles and technical frustrations.
Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has become synonymous with excellence on the track.
But few know the behind-the-scenes struggles that nearly forced the track sensation to step back from her sport.
Between her setback at the 2019 World Championships and a frustrating coaching dilemma, McLaughlin-Levrone found herself at a crossroads, questioning the very foundation of her path to success.
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16:00 - 12.11.2024
World's second-fastest man Yohan Blake offers fans a once-in-a-lifetime week together
Jamaican sprint legend Yohan Blake is offering fans a unique chance to train alongside him for a week, sharing insights into his life, dedication and inspiring journey as a world-class athlete.
After her shock loss at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, McLaughlin-Levrone faced an unprecedented mental and emotional challenge.
In her book, Far Beyond Gold, she opens up about the internal battles she wrestled with in the aftermath of that defeat.
“I’m the kind of competitor who can’t ignore a problem. I have a hard time focusing on the positives when there’s a glaring weakness,” she shared.
In Doha, the unexpected loss had jolted McLaughlin-Levrone’s confidence. Despite bouncing back two days later to secure a relay win for the U.S., the lingering disappointment stayed with her well into 2020.
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20:00 - 10.11.2024
'Stresses the body without fatigue' - Jakob Ingebrigtsen plans perfect season for 1500m dream
Jakob Ingebrigtsen has made altitude training a key component of his preparation, focusing on pace consistency and controlled intensity as he sharpens his form for an ambitious 2025 season.
The Tokyo Olympics, originally set for that year, were delayed due to the pandemic, giving her an extra year to regroup.
Yet, instead of finding peace, McLaughlin-Levrone grappled with mounting frustrations, particularly in her technical training.
The 25-year-old athlete revealed in her memoir that her previous coach, Joanna Hayes, had implemented drills designed to enhance her speed and power.
While Hayes’s methods were effective, McLaughlin-Levrone struggled to internalize the guidance, leading to a sense of stagnation.
“I wasn’t processing Coach Joanna’s instructions well. Most of her drills were sprints designed to build my speed and power. They’d been effective,” she admitted.
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06:46 - 13.11.2024
‘I can eat it and I am still okay’ - Gabby Thomas slams fans who harshly judge athletes for having a sweet treat
Triple Olympics champion Gabby Thomas has hit out at fans who criticize athletes over their dietary choices, especially when they indulged in sugary stuff that many consider unhealthy.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s desperation to correct these issues pushed her to a breaking point.
In a moment of vulnerability, she even considered an unexpected option: returning to her college training program at the University of Florida, where she’d once found her rhythm.
But this solution seemed like a step backward rather than a progression toward her Olympic ambitions.
“I considered doing something I told myself I’d never do: go back to my college program,” she wrote, describing her sleepless nights grappling with the decision.
Fortunately, fate had other plans. Enter Bobby Kersee—a legendary coach known as the “mad scientist” of track and field.
Kersee’s reputation preceded him; he once promised Olympic champion Edwin Moses to discover someone who could surpass his historic records.
With a training resume that included countless champions, Kersee was a sought-after guru, yet McLaughlin-Levrone’s technical needs presented a fresh challenge even for him.
Her search for precise technical guidance and his knack for refining techniques proved to be a perfect match.
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12:30 - 08.11.2024
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Their partnership was solidified during the pandemic, marking Kersee as her fourth coach in five years.
Despite her history of frequent coaching changes, McLaughlin-Levrone finally felt she’d found the right mentor to unlock her potential.
Under Kersee’s guidance McLaughlin-Levrone blossomed ultimately rewriting the 400m hurdles world record five times post-Tokyo.
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