After the Paris Olympics, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is just crushing it in the track and field world! With four Olympic gold medals and a reputation as a world record disruptor, she’s firmly established herself as a superstar. Since 2020, she’s rewritten the record books for the women’s 400m hurdles a jaw-dropping six times! And it’s not just the hurdles—her consistent performances have her strutting her stuff in various short sprints too. Talk about versatility! She’s definitely a shining star in the current athletic scene. But let’s rewind to when her journey didn’t have quite the same spark—thankfully, she had Usain Bolt to light the way.

Sydney made her Olympic debut at the Rio Games, and boy, did she step into the spotlight! As a fresh face in the women’s 400m hurdles, she carried the heavy weight of expectations. After all, she was the youngest American track athlete to qualify for the Olympics, and her trial times had set the world junior record and were the best at the world youth level. At just 16, those accolades came with some serious pressure. But the road in Rio was a bit bumpy for our teenage dynamo.

In her 400m hurdles race, Sydney faced off against seasoned veterans and some pretty intimidating competition. No wonder she might have lost a few nights of sleep! Despite her best efforts, she didn’t make it past the semifinal round. But she didn’t leave empty-handed; she walked away with some unforgettable memories.

In her book, Far Beyond Gold, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone recalls watching Usain Bolt dominate the 100m final at the Rio Olympics during his last Olympic appearance. She writes, “With my event behind me, I felt free to just be a kid. I moved from the Olympic Village to the apartment where my parents were staying. We explored the city and attended as many events as we could, including diving and the 100-meter sprint, where Usain Bolt won yet another gold medal. I’ll never forget the energy in the stadium that night: one of the greatest moments in Olympic history. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to be part of it.” Did that electric atmosphere uplift her spirits? Absolutely! But how?

In Rio, SML had chances to watch a few more events, traveling with her family. She also roamed through the city to cherish the culture. Furthermore, she enjoyed some special moments while meeting with her high school coaches. The experience came as new to her as she started to believe that she was now on the world stage, far away from her high school in Scotch Plains. She narrated this feeling as “We had accomplished far more than we imagined when our season began. Moments like these were truly memorable.” But the Olympic closing ceremony etched a special mark on her. 

After watching the razzmatazz of the Olympic closing ceremony, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone started to believe in her attachment to the occasion. In her book, she crafted the feeling as “I forgot all the fear and hardships that had been part of my Olympic journey. Maybe, I thought, it had all been worth it.” More importantly, the combination of these factors convinced her that she needed to improve her thinking. And believe Sydney, the need was not superficial. 

In her book, she supported the need by pointing out, “A deep-seated anxiety was gnawing at me, haunting my preparation and relationships, stealing rest, and disrupting any semblance of peace. That’s not a healthy way to live.” Now, straight back to November 2024, Sydney is standing in front of Usain Bolt’s feat. Isn’t that extraordinary? But credit goes to Sydney’s transformation. 

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s transformation makes her closer to Usain Bolt’s shadow 

Throughout the decades, Usain Bolt’s records have stood to be the scale for track and field athletes. His timings in the men’s 100m and 200m events have lured scores of athletes to go beyond their limits. Not just the best timing, but his achievement in the Olympics has also made him special. And the thing is, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is now standing at the brink of touching Bolt’s Olympic record—snagging gold medals in three consecutive Olympics. 

Sydney already has gold medals from the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay events from both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. All she needs is now to snag two from the upcoming LA 2028. Things will not be impossible for her, anyway. At 29, she would take the challenge head-on. But is there any specific reason that is boosting her motivation? As per SML, it is her faith in Christ. 

During her second Olympic trials, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone discovered something truly special about herself and her journey. In one heartfelt interaction, she shared, “Through those trials, God taught me so much. Though they were all difficult, exhausting, emotional experiences, I’m grateful for them. They helped me understand how to rely on Christ, not myself, in any situation. They were refining me into the woman God wanted me to be.” Talk about a powerful lesson!

And from that point on, Sydney has been on an unstoppable trajectory, leaving the past in the dust. It’s like she found her secret sauce for success, and her fans are all in, cheering for her to keep this incredible momentum going.