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American hurdler and sprinter who competes in the 400 meters hurdles has revealed key figures who shaped her career.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is one of the most decorated athletes in track and field today with four Olympic gold medals and a world record in the 400-meter hurdles.
Despite the challenges of an incredibly competitive sport, McLaughlin-Levrone’s rise to prominence can be attributed not only to her own immense talent and hard work but also to the guidance and support from a network of dedicated individuals.
One of those key figures was Wes Felix, the brother of Olympic champion Allyson Felix, whose influence was pivotal in shaping McLaughlin-Levrone’s career.
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In her book Far Beyond Gold: Running From Fear to Faith, McLaughlin-Levrone discusses how her journey into professional athletics began while she was still in Kentucky.
“The first step in becoming a professional track-and-field athlete was choosing an agent. This individual would help me enter meets, negotiate appearance fees, and handle travel,” McLaughlin-Levrone explains.
With strict rules preventing athletes from communicating with agents during their first years, McLaughlin-Levrone faced the challenge of navigating her professional career in a way that wouldn’t hinder her growth.
But she knew she needed someone who understood her needs and could help her avoid potential pitfalls and that is where her parents, Mary and Willie McLaughlin, stepped in.
“My parents ended up weeding out most of my options…I trusted my parents’ judgment; they had looked out for me my entire life, and I knew if they were bringing these people in front of me, they trusted I would be in good hands,” McLaughlin-Levrone shared.
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It was through their efforts that they connected her with Wes Felix, a move that would prove to be a game-changer.
She goes on to explain how Felix, alongside the renowned talent agency William Morris Endeavor, provided her with the support and opportunities necessary for her to thrive.
“It only made sense to go with Wes Felix, who I believed would be a great representative for me. Along with Wes came the amazing opportunity to work in conjunction with William Morris Endeavor.”
This partnership, McLaughlin-Levrone believes, helped propel her into the upper echelons of track and field.
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While Felix’s guidance was an important part of McLaughlin-Levrone’s early success, her coach Bob Kersee was also instrumental in her continued ascent.
Kersee, the legendary coach known for training Olympic greats like Jackie Joyner-Kersee, has been a constant source of motivation and support for McLaughlin-Levrone throughout her career.
Under his coaching, McLaughlin-Levrone has shattered records and captured multiple gold medals.
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Kersee’s dedication to McLaughlin-Levrone’s success was evident even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When McLaughlin-Levrone moved to Arizona to be with her then-boyfriend Andre Levrone, Kersee insisted that she stay in Los Angeles to continue training under his watchful eye.
“I can’t do long-distance coaching..if I’m going to get your best from you, I got to be with you day in and day out,” McLaughlin-Levrone recalls in her book.
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