As it appears from Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s career graph, breaking her own world records is just another day for her now. And following the same path, she had another scintillating outing in Paris. Winning 2 Olympic golds in Paris, she cemented her legacy in the track and field fraternity yet again. Competing in her maiden games at the Tokyo Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone won golds in the 400-meter hurdles and the 4x400m relays. 

Thus, the American has now secured 4 gold medals in the 4 events that she has been involved in. However, her road to victory in Paris was not a bed full of roses. Coming to Paris, McLaughlin-Levrone faced a steep challenge. And that one is none other than the Netherlands powerhouse, Femke Bol. 

With back-to-back victories in the Diamond League meetings prior to the Olympics, Bol threatened to snatch the throne from the 25-year-old American. Nevertheless, once the race started, the difference was quite significant. The US hurdler took off with ease and clinched the gold medal, clocking a time of 50.37s. Obviously, the timing was yet another world record in the 400-meter hurdles. 

Unfortunately, Femke Bol lagged way behind, clocking 52.15s, and managed to secure a podium finish, grabbing the bronze. Now, as McLaughlin-Levrone looks indomitable, there’s a secret that helps her attain godspeed. As expected, the secret lies in how she runs.

Uncovering Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s track and field success

In a recent episode of ACE Method Coaching, a detailed analysis of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s unique running technique was made. Speaking about the difference, the coach stated that conventional sprinters usually run on the balls of their feet. This allows them to maximize the explosiveness and propel them on their way. 

But for McLaughlin-Levrone, things seemed to be different. The coach stated, “Sydney does something different. She appears to run on her heels, and it doesn’t matter the race, the 200, the 400, the hurdles, or the relay; it all looks the same.” 

Continuing with the analysis, he further stated that most of the athletes tend to strike the front of their feet comparatively more. But for a change, McLaughlin-Levrone maintains her dorsal flexion perfectly until the moment she makes contact with the ground. 

Such a unique technique allows her to remain right underneath her center of mass and generate acceleration. This further helps Sydney exhibit the puma-like speed on track, eventually leading her toward breaking multiple world records. 

Speaking of world records, this is no news that McLaughlin-Levrone has surpassed a number of them in a short period. Initially, the 400-meter hurdles queen clocked an Olympic record of 51.46s at the Tokyo Olympics. Displaying impeccable brilliance in the 400-meter hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone went on to break the timing in Eugene by clocking 50.65s. Well, having broken two records in quick succession would have made any athlete satisfied. 

But McLaughlin-Levrone seemed to be aiming for more. With the sky being the limit, the 400-meter hurdles champion obliterated her previous record to set up a new world record of 50.37s in Paris. And while such astonishing feats are examples of her unique gifted self, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has shown sparks of brilliance since childhood.

McLaughlin-Levrone’s parents speak about her special traits

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s father, Willie McLaughlin, was an NCAA sprinter himself. After the birth of his elder son and daughter, Willie encouraged them to take up track and field. While both his elder kids turned out to be ‘gifted’ runners, what he saw with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was quite extraordinary. 

Speaking with NJ.com back in 2016, Sydney’s father stated, “We had had our older daughter and our older son run, and they were very gifted… Then we saw (Sydney) run at 6 years old, and we just knew, ‘Okay, the other ones are very good, but this one is a little different.’ It was just obvious.”

Surely, her father was right. At just 15 years of age, McLaughlin-Levrone burst onto the scene when she won the 2015 World Youth Championship. Making her mark as one of the authorities in track and field, she then went on to win the 2019 Diamond League. 

Continuing her merry run after the Tokyo Olympics, the 400-meter hurdles queen also clinched three World Championship golds and a silver medal. Thus, with things looking bright for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, it will now be interesting to see how she decides to pace her career next.