Every time Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone steps onto the track, she raises the bar high. The hurdler successfully defended her title in the City of Light, making her dominance look as effortless as ever. She entered the 400m hurdles event as a favorite, and why wouldn’t she? Not only has she been on a record-breaking streak, but the 25-year-old has also asserted herself as the best in the sport. But what was her driving force in the French capital? Let’s find out. 

The 4x Olympic gold medalist appeared on the Jennifer Hudson Show. In the September 18 episode, the duo talks about what her journey has been like so far. Hudson brings up how the Olympian’s family cheered her on from the stands. They even wore white T-shirts with “TEAM SYD” on them. However, she asked if they were all athletes. “Yes, my whole family, we all ran track. My four siblings, well, there’s four of us, and then my parents,” McLaughlin-Levrone affirmed.

The Olympian credits her family for their support. “So, they all understand it. It’s a family function, and so I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.” She might have been the only one to make it to the Olympics, but her father came close. Willie McLaughlin contested in the 400m semi-finals at the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials. However, he was a 3x NCAA All-American at Manhattan College. He also earned All-East honors in the indoor 400m a whopping 4 times and was a 3x IC4A outdoor 400m champion. The former sprinter was inducted into the college’s athletic hall of fame in 1997. 

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s mother, Mary Neumeister McLaughlin, ran on the boys team at Cardinal O’Hara High School in the 1970s. She competed in the 400m dash and relays. The duo eventually crossed paths at Manhattan College. The Olympian’s older sister, Morgan, contested in the 100m hurdles, 200m dash, and long jump at St. Peter’s University. Her older brother, Taylor, competed in the 60m, 400m hurdles, 200, 400, and 600m dash at the University of Michigan.

Ryan, the Olympian’s youngest brother, dipped his toes in the 110m and 400m hurdles and also would contest in the 4x400m relay. But the athletic prowess doesn’t end here. The 25-year-old continued, “My husband was also an athlete in the NFL.” Andre Levrone Jr. is a retired wide receiver who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, and Baltimore Ravens. However, he stepped away from the field in 2020. Whenever she’s about to compete, her husband knows how to be supportive in his own way. “He takes care of certain things for me on race day, which I really appreciate, so I can focus on what I got to do.” Her 400m hurdles victory became sweeter because of a wholesome moment with her family, and that’s a whole different story to remember! 

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s fairytale victory in the French capital

After her insane time of 51.46 at the Tokyo Olympics, the 25-year-old was back to defend her title in Paris. Amid a raucous cheer from the stands, she settled into the blocks. Her astounding time of 50.37 helped cement herself as a force to be reckoned with! The Olympian even lowered her own world record for the 6th time. In true McLaughlin-Levrone fashion, she dazzled the crowds a day after turning 25. Her family found a sweet way to celebrate the iconic win.

As soon as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone looked at the time, she headed straight to her family in the stands. “I love how you ran over to your family, and this is such a beautiful moment,” Jennifer Hudson exclaimed. But how did the celebration with the tiara come about? The Olympian confessed, “My sister-in-law told me, she was like, ‘I’m going to bring a crown, and after you win, I’m going to place it on your head.’ So that was her idea.” The 25-year-old successfully ended her Paris stint with another gold in the 4x400m relay. What can’t she do?

But it was now time for her to take a much-needed break. She decided to spend some quality time with her husband in Greece and then took some time out to contest invitational events at the Brussel Diamond League. But after drawing the curtains on this season, it’s time for her to head back to Dunellen. The best part? The Olympian has a party waiting for her. McLaughlin-Levrone’s hometown will celebrate her amazing feats in the French capital on September 23rd in Columbia Park. How exciting!