There’s practically no denying Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s incredible prowess as a track and field icon. The New Jersey native defended both her Olympic golds in Paris earlier this year, cementing her status to the fans of the sport. Her oomph and mere presence can light up any track, and who knows it better than the folks over at the Diamond League? However, it looks like it’s not only the fans who are awestruck by the 4x Olympic champ’s life and stupendous career.

A post on X by the official USATF account from December 7 shared details of the latest feather to be added to McLaughlin-Levrone’s already decorated cap. Captioned, “The Queen of the Oval,” the social media update paid tribute to the mesmerizing sprinter who attained greatness in the City of Love at the 33rd Olympics, before elaborating on the matter at hand.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has been bestowed the “Most Dominant Performer Wing Award presented by Greater Orlando Sports Commission,” signifying how her achievements have made everyone her fan. But what helped her to achieve this latest award? Her terrific stint this year.

At the US Olympic Team Trails in Oregon this year, Sydney broke her world record in the 400mH race after crossing the finishing line in 50.65 seconds. But that was indeed just the warm-up. Then, at the Olympics, she trampled through the time yet again. This time lowering the clock to 50.37 seconds. With that, McLaughlin clinched the world record in the event one more time, making it clear that her skills know few limits. But the astonishment wasn’t over just there!

The 25-year-old then joined hands with 200m specialist Gabby Thomas to help Team USA win gold in the women’s 4x400m relay final, setting a new American record (3:15.27) in the process. Understandably, the USATF’s elation at seeing one of its blooming spectacularly is justified, given how Sydney has kept up with the expectations in a more than capable manner. But she wasn’t always the champion that everyone knows her to be now!

Instead, Sydney’s first stint on the Olympic stage at the 2016 Rio Games went disastrously. Finishing 17th at the 400mH semifinal made her realize that her physical abilities won’t carry her to glory by themselves. Instead, McLaughlin-Levrone fathomed that she needed to boost her mental strength as well. Thankfully, with her family and coaches standing firm in her corner, it wasn’t long before she bounced back to show her true worth.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has wheezed past her troubles in style

Sydney found a person to guide the way in her coach: the legendary Bob Kersee. While Kersee was often slammed for restricting Levrone from competing to protect health, the results of his methods were undeniable. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world came to a halt, Sydney realized that there was no place that her coach wouldn’t go with her to help her dreams come true.

With restrictions hindering her training, McLaughlin-Levrone and Kersee frantically searched for any space where they could sharpen her skills: “When looking for a track became too much of a hassle, Bobby took me out to the median…in the middle of San Vicente Boulevard, one of the busiest streets in Los Angeles,” she writes in her book Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith. 

While she acknowledged that it was somewhat an “absurd” thing to do, she was also grateful for Kersee’s efforts. Sydney went on to win two gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, making all her struggles and battles worth it. And in Paris this year, she held on to both those laurels with determination, making it evident that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone wasn’t a fluke who got lucky. Her incredible achievements even prompted the Diamond League authorities to arrange a special race just so the fans could marvel at her speed at the season finale in Brussels.

Incredible story of success, isn’t it? How amazed are you by what McLaughlin-Levrone continues to achieve in her life? Tell us below!