In 2020, as the world came to a standstill and the Tokyo Olympics were postponed to 2021, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s journey took a pivotal turn. When the Games finally commenced, McLaughlin didn’t just win gold—she etched her name in history. In a gripping 400m hurdles final, she surged down the track, closing in on her teammate Dalilah Muhammad, the defending Olympic and world champion, in the final meters. In a moment that left millions breathless, McLaughlin crossed the finish line in 51.46 seconds, breaking her own world record of 51.90. At just 21 years old, she became the youngest athlete ever to claim Olympic gold in the 400m hurdles.

Reflecting on her triumph, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone admitted, “I can’t really get it straight in my head yet. I’m sure I’ll process it and celebrate later.” But as much as the victory was a dream come true, the delay of the Olympics was, for McLaughlin, a blessing in disguise as she recently confessed to feeling a sense of relief when the games were postponed.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opens up about the blessing in disguise

In her book Far Beyond Gold, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opened up about how the unexpected delay of the Tokyo Olympics became a blessing in disguise for her. With the world thrown into disarray in 2020, when the Olympics were officially postponed, McLaughlin found herself surprisingly relieved. She shared, “Back in March, the Olympics was officially postponed for a year. I was honestly relieved. That was the best thing to happen to me since the stay-at-home order had upended life for everyone.”

The extra year gave Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone more time to address a problem that had been nagging at her: her hurdles technique. As she recalled, despite feeling physically stronger than ever, with Coach Joanna’s speed-building drills pushing her to new limits, McLaughlin found herself struggling with the technical side of hurdling. She admitted, “I’m the kind of competitor who can’t ignore a problem. I have a hard time focusing on the positives when there’s a glaring weakness.”

This frustration led Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to consider going back to the program she had sworn off—her college training with Coach Flo at the University of Texas. She said, “It had taken such a toll on me the first time,” but the results were undeniable. Under his guidance, she had never felt more confident in her hurdling technique. And now, once again, Levrone has given a shoutout to Coach Flo, acknowledging his invaluable influence on her career.

Levrone expressed gratitude for Flo!

Yes, you heard that right! Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has once again credited her coach, Edrick Floreal, for her track success, this time during her induction into the University of Kentucky’s Hall of Fame. Reflecting on her journey, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone shared how her time under Coach Flo’s guidance molded her into the powerhouse athlete she is today. During her tenure at Kentucky, she not only captured the 2018 NCAA title in the 400m hurdles but also established herself as a three-time SEC Champion and a five-time All-American.

As she concluded an unforgettable 2024 season, highlighted by her triumph at the Paris Olympics, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone returned to Kentucky to receive the ultimate honor: induction into the Hall of Fame. In a heartfelt speech, she expressed deep gratitude for her time with Coach Flo, whose guidance had been instrumental in propelling her to new heights. “I learned more than I ever could have imagined. It was here on this track that I learned for the first time that 50 seconds was possible in the 400 hurdles,” she said.

Recalling the intensity of their workouts, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone added with a laugh, “Thanks to Coach Flo and the way he pushed me, I remember seeing jellyfish flying around—that’s how hard the training was!” Through every challenge, McLaughlin-Levrone knows it was Coach Flo who helped her reach her full potential, laying the foundation for her future successes.