“Other than that, I think I would have had that 38 on Sydney [McLaughlin-Levrone].” That bold statement came from none other than Jasmine Robinson — one of the most electrifying young stars in high school track and field — speaking in mid-April after a pair of eye-catching performances. She had just taken the top podium in the girls’ 300m hurdles at the North Cobb Invitational and secured a second-place finish in the 100m hurdles at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational. But what really turned heads wasn’t just her times — it was her talk.

Robinson claimed she was within striking distance of breaking Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s national record in the 300m hurdles: 38.90 seconds. That’s the same Sydney who owns two Olympic gold medals and the world record in the 400m hurdles. A legend. A household name. A force of nature on the track. And yet, here’s a young, untested Jasmine, with no international experience, tossing her name into the same sentence as Sydney’s. And guess what? It didn’t sit right with everyone.

Olympic champion Justin Gatlin took notice, and not without skepticism. On a recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast, Gatlin expressed concern, not just about Jasmine’s comment, but about a broader trend in the sport. Phenoms with little experience, throwing down bold claims, sometimes before they’ve even faced the fire of elite competition. “Do you think it’s a good step in the right direction? Or do you think it’s making athletes at a younger age think that it’s easy, and then when they get into the big leagues, they’re going to see a whole different ball game?” Gatlin pondered, meanwhile.

Enter Rodney Green, co-host on the podcast, who offered a more nuanced perspective. For Rodney, it’s all part of what he calls “Track Inflation.” A new wave where young athletes — hungry and fearless — are pushing boundaries, sometimes even before fully understanding the weight of the records they chase.

“That’s why these kids are so fast,” Rodney said. “I said, I’m not worried about the kids running fast at this point, man, because when you’re young and hungry, you’re trying to beat the biggest dudes on the track.” Additionally, he pointed out that while the drive and motivation are exciting, they can lead to unrealistic expectations. Take Gout Gout, another breakout name in youth track — all talent, all hype, but also all pressure. Meanwhile, speaking about the pressure on Gout, Rodney said, “Everybody’s seen [Usain] Bolt’s success, but he lost a lot in the beginning of his professional career. We could even say Gout-Gout. The country is behind him right now. What happens when he starts to lose? Will the country still rally behind him? How are these kids going to handle the pressures of when the battle of the pen or the journalist turns on them?”

It was a heavy question — and one Justin Gatlin didn’t have an answer for. However, the American legend had no lack of support for Sydney, and this wasn’t the only time he was supporting the hurdler. 

Justin Gatlin supported Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s key decision

Last year, after securing two Olympic gold medals, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made headlines not only for her dominance on the track but for what she did next. Rather than extending her season, she chose to step away early, skipping the Silesia Diamond League meet. That decision only fueled speculation and whispers in the track world, with fans and critics alike questioning her motives. But not everyone was caught up in the noise.

On a Ready Set Go podcast episode last September, Justin Gatlin stepped in to defend Sydney’s choice — and offered some perspective. “You gonna get bored of that Sydney winning everything,” Gatlin said, speaking with the candor of someone who’s been at the top. “Sydney wins every race. You gonna get bored of it to the point where her time is not even gonna affect you anymore. You’re gonna be like, oh, she just ran 51.8? You know what I’m saying?” For Gatlin, the issue wasn’t about whether Sydney was competing enough — it was about giving her the space to be exceptional on her own terms.

“At the end of the day,” he added, “allow her to be special and unique. Allow her to go out. She clearly trains with the intent to go out and break a world record — and move the needle in her event to where it’s never been before.” Actually, in Gatlin’s eyes, Sydney isn’t just winning — she’s redefining excellence. And maybe, just maybe, greatness deserves a little breathing room.