'Our sport is better because of him' — Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone honors the late Ralph Mann

'Our sport is better because of him' — Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone honors the late Ralph Mann

Festus Chuma 18:54 - 06.01.2025

American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone mourns mentor Ralph Mann, honoring his transformative influence on her journey to Olympic greatness.

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is mourning the loss of her former mentor and biomechanics pioneer, Dr. Ralph Mann, who passed away on January 2 at the age of 75 after battling pancreatic cancer.

Mann, a silver medalist at the 1972 Olympics and a trailblazer in track and field science, played a pivotal role in transforming McLaughlin-Levrone into one of the greatest hurdlers of all time.

McLaughlin-Levrone took to Instagram to honor Mann’s memory, sharing heartfelt tributes and an unseen photograph of them deep in discussion during training.

The image captured Mann’s characteristic dedication to detail, with an open laptop and camera stands visible on the field—tools that helped bring a scientific edge to her preparation.

“So many people were impacted by Ralph both on and off the track. He will truly be missed,” McLaughlin-Levrone wrote in the comments section of a tribute post by Citius Mag.

Ralph Mann’s influence on McLaughlin-Levrone’s career cannot be overstated. When the pair first met in 2018, Mann categorized her as a “running jumper”—an athlete who relied solely on speed and athleticism but lacked technical precision in hurdling.

“Sydney had problems,” Mann once admitted.

“She couldn’t hurdle with her opposite leg. With her primary leg, she was mediocre at best.”

But by combining Mann’s meticulous scientific approach with the coaching prowess of Bob Kersee, McLaughlin-Levrone underwent a transformation.

In 2021, she finally overtook rival Dalilah Muhammad at the U.S. Olympic Trials, breaking the world record, and then claimed Olympic gold in Tokyo, smashing the world record again in one of the most dramatic finishes in hurdling history.

Reflecting on McLaughlin-Levrone’s Tokyo triumph, Mann said, “Sydney ran the last three hurdles much better than she’s ever run them before.”

Mann’s contributions extended far beyond McLaughlin-Levrone’s success. After completing his Ph.D. in biomechanics in 1975, he dedicated decades to studying elite athletes, creating a groundbreaking software in 1999 that analyzed sprinting and hurdling techniques through video overlays.

This innovation was instrumental in refining McLaughlin-Levrone’s technique, among countless others.

As Dr. Iain Hunter, a biomechanist at BYU who worked alongside Mann, stated, “His groundbreaking work provided invaluable knowledge to sprint and hurdle coaches. His contributions will continue to influence the sport for generations to come.”

Mann’s legacy also drew tributes from other track and field legends. Michael Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, credited Mann with helping him and his coach turn his unconventional sprinting style into an advantage.

Ralph Mann had a positive influence on the careers of many athletes and coaches,” Johnson wrote on X. “His work was a game-changer.”

For McLaughlin-Levrone, Mann was more than just a scientist—he was a cornerstone of her journey to greatness.

His dedication and belief in her potential transformed her from an uncertain young athlete into a global superstar.