The summer came for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and made her the best. Before the Olympic season, her resume was impressive, with many world records. However, after the summer, the athlete has gained a spot among those who are equally skilled in multiple events. Last season, Sydney set two world records in the women’s 400m hurdles event. Meanwhile, her timing made her the fourth fastest in the all-time list of women’s 400m. And here comes the cherry on top. She is now the eighth fastest in the women’s 200m list of all-time. Still, that’s not all. 

In Paris, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone grabbed two Olympic gold medals after missing track for a long time. In fact, her impressive 360-degree display in track and field sports has already earned her the title of the poster girl of the upcoming Grand Slam Track. Quite an achievement at 25! But Sydney marked all these achievements without her biggest supporter by her side. That extends the discussion, asking about the identity of Sydney’s biggest cheering voice. 

Death pens the distance between bodies, not souls 

In 2021, before the Tokyo Olympics, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone tasted the world record for the first time. In the stacked event of women’s 400m hurdles in Olympic trials, she set 51.90 seconds—the best. Since then, she has changed the record five times—the last one came at the Paris Olympics. But in those six times, she didn’t have her Uncle Russ to cheer for her. Unfortunately, she had to lose him to disease a few months before the Tokyo Olympics. A huge blow before her second Olympic appearance! But she sharpened herself enough to make her late uncle’s prophecy come true about her. Yes, in her book, Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith, SML mentioned an occasion when Uncle Russell predicted something about her future. 

According to the Olympian, Russell was her father Willie’s younger brother. So, since her early days, the athlete was quite accustomed to seeing him around. But the catch came later. With Sydney jumping through the ranks in her track endeavor, Russell turned into “one of the biggest ‘Sydney’ fans around.” His continuous engagement and feedback on Sydney’s performances made him an inspirational figure to her. However, all hell broke loose when SML upset the collegiate record (52.75 seconds) in the women’s 400m hurdles event. That performance, marked on May 13, 2018, made her uncle claim big. He had ultimately predicted that his niece would claim the title of “the best in the world” one day. Sydney achieved that tag in 2021. But she didn’t have her Uncle Russ around to tap her back. The feelings made her reminisce about the moments she left behind. But was that all? 

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone narrates her life’s episodes and her process of toppling the barriers 

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone couldn’t save her uncle from the vicious fangs of death. But she prayed to the almighty not to experience such loss again. However, who knows that eight months after her personal loss, she would have to stand again in front of another test! 

As per her book, her father once informed her about having issues in his heart. That hit Sydney hard. His words forced her to think about the outcome. That drew her to equalizing Willie McLaughlin’s situation with his late brother. Thinking of such nature is bound to send shivers through the spine. In Sydney’s situation as well, the outcome was the same. She started to fear her fate. That led her to pray before her “Lord” again, asking for help. And her prayers did not go unanswered. The doctors listed her father on the transplant list, and he was able to find a heart. Thus, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s “Relationship Island” was saved from facing the acute crisis. Meanwhile, SML thanked the almighty for saving her boat. 

As per Sydney, her personal life is divided into four islands: “Relationship Island. Track Island. Friendship Island. Faith Island.” Throughout the time, those were not in good shape. But the turns of events made her believe that blessings can repair the broken parts between those islands. She still walks on her path, having the same belief system.