“Trust in Jesus.” This is what Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone strongly believes, and it’s what makes her a record-breaker again and again! Her faith is central to her success, as she continues to push the boundaries of her athletic achievements. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s speed leaves everyone wondering, just how fast can she go?  At the Paris Olympic Games, McLaughlin-Levrone ran 50.37 seconds, setting a new world record for the sixth time and earning her second individual Olympic gold medal.

Her journey is as much about her personal beliefs as it is about her athletic prowess. Married to Levrone, a student at John MacArthur’s The Master’s Seminary, the couple attends MacArthur’s Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. McLaughlin-Levrone’s commitment to her faith is evident in her words and actions. After breaking her world record at the Paris Olympics, she echoed her belief, saying, “Praise God. I was not expecting that. He can do anything. Anything is possible in Christ.”

Now, fans draw a powerful inspiration from her story, echoing the historic decision of Eric Liddell to honor God, and believing that McLaughlin-Levrone’s success stems from something greater than mere physical prowess. So, do you remember Eric Liddell? Well, this summer’s Olympic Games marked the 100th anniversary of the remarkable faith and performance of Scottish gold medalist Eric Liddell, whose story was famously depicted in the 1981 film “Chariots of Fire.”

Liddell, a Christian and the son of Presbyterian missionaries, in China showed remarkable athletic talent early in life. In addition to his running skills he was chosen to represent Scotland in rugby matches, on seven occasions. Despite his rigorous athletic training, Liddell maintained a strict observance of his faith, including resting on the Sabbath and refusing to race on Sundays. Similarly, fans comparing Sydney McLaughlin to Liddell on X have shared their perspectives, highlighting the profound impact of faith on both athletes’ achievements.

The faith-fueled journey of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

One fan remarked, “She’s electric as a runner, and even better as a public Christian.” Well, Sydney is a devout Christian and has consistently integrated her faith into her athletic career. She has shared, “For a long time, my identity was in track and field. But I realized that first and foremost, I’m a child of God. It set me free to run the race God has set out for me to run.” McLaughlin-Levrone often discusses her faith on Instagram and prays before every race with her coach, trainer, and husband. She focuses on her spirituality to manage the pressures of being a top athlete, emphasizing the importance of prayer and reflection in maintaining her mental focus.

One more fan added, “Totally! Have you read her book? Pretty good for a first-time author. She does a nice job of articulating her journey from a nominal believer to a closer walk with Jesus through her study of the scriptures and moving to an exegetical teaching church. Interesting stuff...” Well, this year in January, McLaughlin-Levrone released her memoir, Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith, which details her journey from a 16-year-old Olympic hopeful to a world champion and Olympic gold medalist. The book not only chronicles her athletic achievements but also her spiritual growth, highlighting how her faith has guided her through both track and personal challenges.

One more fan added, “I think Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is the Eric Liddell of our day. She never seems to miss a chance to point to Jesus.” Well, again in her new book, Far Beyond Gold, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reflects on the difficulty of being a fierce competitor on the track while also striving to be humble and kind off it. McLaughlin-Levrone explains, “On the track, I had to focus solely on being successful, but in my personal life, I wanted to put others first and be gentle. It was hard to be both a killer competitor and a humble person.”

McLaughlin Levrone draws motivation from the quote, by Eric Liddell in the film Chariots of Fire; “I believe God made me for a purpose. He also made me fast.. When I run I feel His pleasure.” She views her abilities as a blessing and strives to showcase gratitude to Him not only through her performance in races but also through a lifestyle characterized by service and modesty. This mindset enables her to uphold her faith while striving for excellence, in her chosen sport.

One fan expressed, “She and her husband have been a joy to watch, and my girls absolutely adore her! I’m grateful for her intentionality and faithfulness.” Another chimed in, “Spiritually speaking, yes!” With that being said, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for Sydney.