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via Reuters

via Reuters

All hail the mighty Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone! The former Kentucky Wildcat student defended both of her Olympic golds at the 2024 Paris Games and has sealed her status as an elite athlete. However, while she is more widely renowned for her prowess in jumping over hurdles on the track, the 25-year-old could just as easily have been a long jump sensation.

A post on X by Jumpers World from August 31 shared an old video of McLaughlin-Levrone from when she was in high school. “During her high school years as a teenager, she achieved an impressive indoor jump of 6.30 meters in New York,” and any true track and field fan would know it’s quite an impressive jump.

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As a student of the Union Catholic Regional High, McLaughlin-Levrone created quite a ripple in the country’s junior circuit. Looking at the video at hand, it isn’t hard to comprehend why, either. The Class of 2017 student had already qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics, undoubtedly making her a celebrity in high school. On top of that, McLaughlin-Levrone was also the first two-time Gatorade Player of the Year. It can be surmised that her greatness was written in the stars, and the above video only opened the floodgates to more applause from the fans.

Fans tip their hats toward Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Soon, fans swooped in to note how the New Jersey native is a true force to be reckoned with. Leah, like many of us, is extremely impressed by the resurfaced video and thinks there are possibly very few things that fall outside of the periphery of what McLaughlin-Levrone can’t achieve. “What cant she do ???!” pondered the fan, and frankly, we don’t have an answer!

Not surprised!” says Hugo, to our surprise, on the other hand. As an argument, the fan notes that long jumping is essentially a different take on sprinting, the actual event in which McLaughlin-Levrone has amassed a long list of achievements. Considering the similarities of the two sports, the Olympian’s breathtaking performance doesn’t look too out of the ordinary, this fan opines.

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Sports run deep in McLaughlin-Levrone’s family. An All-American athlete father, a half-miler mom, and an NFL star for a husband: Sydney is encircled with athletes every hour of her day. Naturally, picking up a few pointers from here and there is bound to happen. For obvious reasons, some fans think Sydney could also shine in multiple events if she wanted to. “She’s literally the best at everything she does,” said Loraina, and there shouldn’t be many counter-arguments to the opinion seeing the video of McLaughlin’s long jumping prowess either!

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Elsa believes the hurdling specialist should be seated in the same league as Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles. Taking a cue from the mantra followed by the gymnasts, this fan commented, “she is really her,” while also claiming Syndey’s elite status should be beyond any doubt by now.

Talent,” is all another fan could manage after seeing the distance Levrone was able to cover even as a high school athlete. Was there ever any doubt? What do you say? Tell us how you’re admiration of McLaughlin-Levrone got another boost after seeing her long jumping skills with a comment below!