It’s hard to impress the woman who improved her 400m hurdles record for the sixth time at Paris 2024. However, Olympic record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was beyond impressed to see six-year-old Alaya Armbrister. In fact, the four-time Olympic gold medalist was so taken with Alaya’s talent that she saw herself in the young track and field prodigy.

“I was just like Alaya, 6 years old, running track…” said the Olympian. The 25-year-old Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone couldn’t help but gush over the little girl’s confidence. The young sprinter, who appeared on the Jennifer Hudson Show just before the Olympic champion, boldly revealed that she never felt nervous before a race, despite her age. Alaya Armbrister’s fearless nature clearly struck a chord with McLaughlin-Levrone, showcasing the young prodigy’s remarkable poise and potential.

“I say to myself, ‘I’m gonna win,'” the prodigy told Hudson while discussing how she approaches competition. However, the former Olympic record holder wasn’t so fearless when she was Alaya’s age. “She said she wasn’t scared or fearful when she steps on the line, I was absolutely terrified!” Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone confessed on the Jennifer Hudson Show.

However, the Queen of the 400m hurdles revealed her nervousness stemmed from a feeling of inadequacy. McLaughlin-Levrone said she felt she wasn’t “perfect” if she lost a race. “I struggled with my identity being wrapped up in track and field,” confessed the two-time Paris Olympics gold medalist. The champions’ mental struggles nearly handicapped her career.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone did so well in her junior year at high school, that she made it to the 2016 U.S. Olym­pic Trials. However, one look at the confident senior competitors took the wind out of McLaughlin-Levrone’s sail. “I was so scared, I called my dad. ‘Can I please pull out?’ I begged.” the Olympian wrote in a Guidepost article.

Thankfully, the New Jersey native addressed the issue, and finding faith helped her overcome the fear. Once Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone conquered her mental block in the 400m hurdles, she became unstoppable. Today, as a four-time Olympic gold medalist, she serves as an inspiration to others.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is an icon for upcoming generation

Team USA’s 25-year-old isn’t just a champion. A section of track and field fans have even criticized McLaughlin-Levrone for her lack of activity. However, the hurdler’s impact remains unmatched. She ran only a handful of times this season after making her debut with the 200m race at the 2024 Onyx Invitational.

However, that didn’t stop the track and field icon from proving her world record twice—first at the Olympic Trials and then again in Paris, where she clocked an astonishing 50.37 seconds. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone doesn’t just win gold medals; she pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. This is why she has inspired young prodigies like Alaya Armbrister, showing them that greatness knows no limits.

During her appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, the talk show host arranged a race between the Armbrister and the show’s staff, which she won. However, what the little one didn’t expect was Mclaughlin-Levrone to show up and present her with the medal. Elated to see the Olympian in front of her, the six-year-old said, “I watch you and I like to watch you.” 

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reciprocated by wishing the youngster the best of luck for the future. While the Olympian may not have been as confident as Armbrister at her age, today her achievements instill confidence in a new generation.