Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone—her name alone resonates with glory, etched in history with two Paris golds and yet another world-record-shattering performance. Add to that her stellar collection of accolades, including two gold medals from the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, and with that she got a resume most athletes can only dream of. But then came 2023, and the World Championships in Budapest painted a different picture. For the first time in years, Sydney had to step off the track and watch the action from the sidelines due to a nagging knee injury.

Breaking the news to her fans, Sydney shared her heartbreak with a poignant Instagram post: “I am so sad to share that I must withdraw from this year’s World Championships meet in Budapest. After consulting with my doctors and coaches, I need to take care of a minor knee issue so that I can be fully healthy for next year’s Paris Olympics. I look forward to seeing everyone back on the track soon.” Fast forward to January 2024, and Sydney finally opened up about what it felt like to be grounded while the world raced on without her.

In her book Far Beyond Gold, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reflects on her 2023 season, which took an unexpected turn. She writes, “My 2023 season came to a close in the most uneventful way.” After months of intense training and anticipation, a knee injury forced her to withdraw from the World Championships in Budapest. “It’s a tough pill to swallow knowing that I didn’t lose the race, but I didn’t even get the chance to step on the line.”

Through the challenges, she drew strength from her faith, explaining that, “God’s presence does not mean the absence of problems.” She also reflected on the deeper lessons learned during this time—about patience, perseverance, and the importance of trusting the process. Despite the disappointment, Sydney found joy in these lessons, saying, “I rejoice in this year’s lessons. The personal character that was developed through perseverance.” She recognized that, “winning is not my ultimate priority.”

Sydney also revealed her true passion for the sport, admitting, “I’m hopelessly addicted to the process of improvement.” It’s not about the fame, fortune, or accolades; for her, it’s about the thrill of seeing progress, saying, “Hardly anything is more satisfying than setting a goal—especially one that seems impossible—and patiently pursuing it until you cross that goal off your to-do list.” Through it all, Sydney embraced the uncertainty, finding fulfillment in her faith and her dedication to growth. But even before that, Sydney had already found her faith in God, as she had previously shared.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone finds faith in god!

Yes, you heard it right! Long before her incredible triumphs, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone found her faith in God, marking a pivotal moment in her journey. In 2019, she finished the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships with a time of 52.88 seconds, falling short to Dalilah Muhammad’s 52.20. Determined to get her revenge at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Sydney focused on improving her hurdles technique. However, anxiety about the heat added to the pressure.

Despite running the third-fastest time in history (52.23 seconds), she couldn’t outrun Dalilah who set a new world record at 52.16. “I didn’t want to hear the congratulations. I didn’t want to be told that I’d just run a brilliant race. I knew the truth. I’d fallen short yet again. I’ve never been so disappointed, so completely crushed, after a race.” This heartbreak marked the beginning of her realization that she was chasing “fool’s gold.” The pandemic followed, leaving Sydney feeling stuck, even after therapy.

Then, in the midst of personal and professional struggles, she turned to God. “I finally turned to God. He used the isolation of COVID and the recent heartaches in Doha and failed relationships to bring me to himself, so I could begin to understand how to make him the priority.” This marked a new chapter, as faith brought Sydney the strength to face life’s challenges. “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.” By 2021, Sydney emerged stronger, claiming her first Olympic gold and igniting a dominant career.