They say an idle mind is the devil’s playground. But what they don’t say is that sometimes the devil comes knockin’ even when you try to keep yourself engaged by doing the things that bring you joy. While the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across the world, people did everything they could to mitigate their troubles. However, that was exactly what made Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone come face-to-face with a harrowing experience that she could’ve done without.

Like all of us, the 4x Olympic gold medalist frantically looked for things to keep herself occupied during the tumultuous times that brought the world to a halt a few years ago. But even in her wildest nightmares, she didn’t imagine it would leave an unsavory taste in her mouth.

One fan scarred Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone for life

In her book, Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith, McLaughlin-Levrone talks about how she sought inward to overcome her mental blockade and continue making history on the tracks. Along with that, the New Jersey native also revealed how she had to witness something truly despicable while she spent her days alone during COVID-19. “Stuck in my apartment with my dog, Laylay (the cutest goldendoodle ever), I spent more and more time on social media. Fan interactions became a regular part of my days. I even hosted a show on Instagram called Saturday Night Vibes,” she recalls.

It was the Saturday Night Vibes where she found some purpose during those mundane march of days. “I’d plan for it all week. I’d transform my living room into a makeshift studio. I’d come up with skits, answer questions, play funny games, and bring on special guests, including fans, for talent shows,” reads her own words. However, the happiness quickly turned into something contemptible as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone frowns.

“In the middle of the third or fourth show, a fan exposed himself to me. My little outlet of joy quickly became desolate. Immediately, I shut down the Instagram live feed and canceled Saturday Night Vibes,” the track reveals the startling incident. She went on to elaborate that it not only made her feel sick, but she was also devastated by the fact that her younger fans had to see the detestable moment as well. But lucky for the fans, it wasn’t something that could halt McLaughlin from stepping out into the world again.

A brave soul who isn’t afraid to take on the world

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 25-year-old sprinter and hurdle specialist defended both the gold medals she won in Tokyo three years ago. With that, she proved that her speedster persona is always ready for a race, even if she doesn’t compete extensively throughout the year. Her coach Bob Kersee is known to prioritize Levrone’s health, but her achievements on the greatest stage in the sporting world have firmly established McLaughlin as one of the greatest athletes of our generation. Her feats also prompted the Diamond League organizers to design a special race just so they could honor her properly even if she couldn’t participate in the final.

And yet, despite her long list of accolades, Sydney remains an essentially timid person who looks at the world around her from the behind of a lens of skepticism. So much so that she even found it difficult to believe her then-boyfriend Andre Levrone’s words when he professed his love. “It was completely different from any relationship I’d been in before… It seemed too good to be true,” the track star writes in her book. But she made herself understand that not everything should be seen so bleakly and that there’s still goodness in the world. What new frontiers do you think await the enigmatic star to conquer next? Tell us more!