Who isn’t dazzled by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone? The 25-year-old stunned the track and field world by shattering her own world record for the 6th time in the French capital. Her staggering 50.37 shaved off 0.28 seconds from the previous record. The hurdler had successfully defended her Olympic title in the 400m hurdles. After a thrilling show of skill, fans looked forward to her return to the tracks. However, that excitement was short-lived. 

While some of her fellow Olympians shifted their focus to the Lausanne Diamond League, the 25-year-old’s name was missing. But McLaughlin-Levrone spent some much-needed downtime with her husband, Andre Levrone Jr., in Greece. Even though she made her much-awaited return in Brussels, why is she so selective with her appearances? In a September 19 episode of ‘Ready Set Go’, Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green reveal the hurdler’s reasons.

The duo were discussing the recently concluded Diamond League. “Sydney don’t race much overseas,” the track and field analyst stated. The Olympian’s coach, Bobby Kersee, decides what races she should contest in. Green continued, “I think her coach only has her running to prep for meets running USA and running for championships. Because he believes in world records and gold medals.” However, in conversation with CITIUS MAG, the coach clarified that health plays a huge factor in this decision. If all that works out, then performance is looked at next.

Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 400m Hurdles Semi-Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 06, 2024. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of United States reacts after winning semi final 2. REUTERS/Sarah MeyssonnierRodney elaborated, “So, I think, in his head, he’s like, ‘Run overseas for what? We’re gonna leave and have to change our diet and, you know, change venues and all that for one or two races?'” The legendary coach doesn’t go to Europe because he trains U.S. athletes to make it to American teams. The hours of travel and time difference would be a massive blow for the athletes on top of the food change. However, he hasn’t shut the door on Europe just yet. If it favors the athlete’s mental and physical health, nothing will stop them from making the trip.

Even though Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone couldn’t compete during the Diamond League finals in Brussels, she did get to contest in two invitational events: 200m and 400m. “But I definitely think she did the fans a good service by going out there and competing. So I think that was definitely a good look for her.” The Olympian wanted to improve upon her PB in both circuits. While she couldn’t do that, she clinched an effortless win with an astounding 49.11 seconds in 400m and 22.40 seconds in 200m. But who is this man behind the golden girl?

Meet Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s legendary coach

Before training the best hurdler in the world, the legendary coach had another brilliant trainee. Bobby Kersee used to train Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who was also his life. In fact, he was also Florence Griffith Joyner’s coach during the 1988 Olympic trials. Throughout his decorated career, the coach has mentored several big names. A few have even accumulated an estimated 50 Olympic and World Championship medals.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is always looking to improve. The 400m hurdle is an incredible technical event with 10 barriers on the track. In 2019, her stride pattern would be 15 strides through hurdle 7, followed by 16 strides for the rest. However, she joined Bobby Kersee in 2020, who helped perfect her stride patterns. This change was evident a year later. It was 14 strides for the first 5 hurdles and 15 for the rest. Could this have been the secret to her record-breaking streak? It might have taken years to perfect, but it’s a strategy that brings in wins!