Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Explains Why She Puts On A Long Face Before Her Races

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opts for a serious face before she begins her races. Photo: Imago

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Explains Why She Puts On A Long Face Before Her Races

Joel Omotto 13:45 - 12.04.2025

American 400m hurdles queen Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has given insights into why she always puts on a serious face before her races.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is among the most revered sprinters on the planet given her record-breaking heroics in the 400m hurdles race but also divides opinion with her pre-race rituals.

McLaughlin-Levrone effortlessly retained her Olympics title at the 2024 Paris Games, while breaking her own world record for a sixth time, and is just off a great weekend in Kingston, Jamaica where she claimed one of the $100,000 prizes on offer at Grand Slam Track.

The 25-year-old grabbed the women’s Long Hurdles title after winning both the 400m hurdles and 400m races for a maximum 24 points in Kingston as the Grand Slam Track gunned off with the first leg in Jamaica.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News from Pulse Sports.

McLaughlin-Levrone has always ruffled feathers due to her strong faith which she carries to the track and while most of her peers put on smiles before their races, she opts for a serious look.

The sprinter has now opened up over what goes through her mind before each race, leading to the long face, when fans expect a smile before she goes on to destroy her opponents.

“I’m not waving at the camera,” McLaughlin-Levrone told Grand Slam Track founder Michael Johnson this month during the 2025 Upfront Summit in Los Angeles.

“I’m locked in because I know what I’m there to do. And I’m really focused on executing and giving my all to everything that I am here to do.”

The sprinter further explains how her faith plays a large part in her serious look before her races.

“Just knowing that my identity is not in whether I win or lose this race, first and foremost, gives me so much peace to go out there and use the gift that I’ve been given,” she went on.

“I’m talking to myself, I’m repeating the race plan in my head. The night before, I’m visualising, a lot of prayer… And once I get on that line, I know that all the preparation has been done."

At Grand Slam Track, McLaughlin-Levrone proved that her rivals will have a hard time again this year when she won the 400m hurdles in a world leading time of 52.76 seconds before wrapping up a great weekend with victory in the 400m flat race in 50.32 seconds.

Having missed the 2023 World Championships due to an injury, McLaughlin-Levrone will look to stay healthy this year to reclaim the title she won in 2022 from reigning world champion Femke Bol whom she beat at the Paris 2024 Olympics.