Ever watched someone make a race look like a casual jog? That’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone for you! Every time she steps onto the track, spectators are treated to a breathtaking performance. Sydney’s blend of speed and strength allows her to glide effortlessly through the 400m hurdles, leaving everyone in awe. What does it take to be so incredibly fast?

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, the competition isn’t just about who’s the fastest. It’s about who has pushed their limits the most, and Sydney is no exception. Her recent triumph at the USATF New York City Grand Prix is a testament to her relentless drive and ability to shatter boundaries. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone isn’t just racing against others; she’s racing against herself, constantly redefining what’s possible.

Learn about the speed of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

The recipe for this mystery is hidden in plain sight. It is her speed. Sydney’s most recent feat? She clocked 48.75 seconds in the 400m at the USATF New York City Grand Prix. Her time was just 0.05 seconds slower than the American record set in 2006 by Sanya Richards-Ross. Despite the odds of the winds being against her, Sydney remained calm and unbothered.

She doesn’t just nail the flat 400m, her expertise lies in 400m hurdles. Does anyone else remember this June, the U.S. Olympic Trials? She shattered a world record clocking 50.65 seconds. Sydney talking about the same, exclaimed “Just shock. Honestly shock. I know when it first came up it said, ‘50.67.’ I was like, ‘There’s just no way.” Yes, ‘way’ it is for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

That’s not all! Sydney’s mantle of wins is stacked with Golds. Who can ever forget the storm she brought to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics? She won the gold medal in the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay. Her series of wins don’t end there. At the 2022 World Championships, she once again added two more Golds to her collection. Additionally, she also has Golds from the Diamond League champion and World Youth Championship list. So, what’s the formula behind Sydney’s speed?

What makes Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone different from an average Olympic sprinter?

Athletics runs in Sydney’s blood! Sydney began running at a very young age. It is also the influence of her father, Willie. Willie competed in the 400m at the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials. Not just that, her mother and brother were also track and field stars. Sydney however, has taken their legacy ahead in a way nobody could have imagined.

Today she is one of the biggest names in 400m hurdles, and with the pace, she is moving, she intends to remain that way for a long time. Reflecting on her journey of mastery she shares, “The 400 hurdles is a mixture of all of it. It’s the short hurdles combined with the 4, combined with the 2. You need that endurance, that speed, and that technicality.”

One cannot talk about Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone without talking about her coach Bobby Kersee. He has been a game-changer for her. As her competition Anna Cockrell says, “She’s really fast and she’s really strong, it’s hard to put it any other way.” The world eagerly awaits to see Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone take it to the tracks again!