Have we ever witnessed something as exciting as this year’s track and field season? We’ve watched several surprise victories, exciting rivalries, and world records being set and reset—especially at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone returned to the world’s biggest stage as the defending Olympic champion in the 400 mH. The 25-year-old had proved her mettle on the track countless times before. Yet she stunned fans in the French capital.

The hurdler scorched past the finish line in a world record time of 50.37 seconds, shattering her own record of 50.65 seconds in the event for a shiny Olympic gold. But that isn’t it. With this, she is now the first woman to successfully defend her Olympic title in the event. However, she returned to the purple track to contest in the 4x400m relay. Pulling off the third fastest split in the world of 47.71 seconds, she gave Team USA a considerable lead, bagging another gold at Stade de France. Given the incredible performance throughout 2024, the Olympian has a shot for an incredibly special award. What is it?

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is one step away from excellence

Last month, World Athletics announced the Track Athlete of the Year award nominees, and the 25-year-old was one of the nominees in the women’s category. However, after comprising votes from the WA Council, family, and a public vote on social media, 2 athletes have been confirmed as the finalists. Any guesses? That’s right. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Julien Alfred will now battle it out for the prestigious honor.

How many athletes were nominated for the honor? The initial list included 6 athletes: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Faith Kipyegon, Gabby Thomas, Beatrice Chebet, Julien Alfred, and Marleidy Paulino. With a star-studded lineup like this, it wouldn’t have been an easy decision to make. But the clock is ticking, and we’re inching closer to the grand finale.

The results for The Track Athlete of the Year will be announced on December 1. But there’s a slight twist involved. This year, World Athletics has included a new addition. The onus of choosing the champion falls on the fans of the sport. There will be one final round of voting between November 4 and 10. Fans must consider whoever has shown great prowess throughout this season at the 2024 Olympic Games, World Athletics Indoor Championships, one-day meeting circuits, and more. So, how did the Olympic 400mH champion do this year? 

The Olympian’s exciting 2024 track and field season

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is often very selective of the events she enters. Her coach, Bobby Kersee, considers several factors, including health and performance, before making any decisions. But even with this, the sprinter has graced the track several times this season. She started her season with a bang in the 400m at the 2024 USATF New York Grand Prix. In June, the 25-year-old scorched past the finish line in 48.75 seconds.

The Olympian shaved off five hundredths from Sanya Richards-Ross’ American record set in 2006. However, that isn’t it. She clocked the third-fastest 400m time in American history and made it look easy! Next up, she returned to the women’s 4x100m quartet for the Mt. SAC Relays in California on April 20. Even though Team USA couldn’t bag the gold, they surged past the finish line in 42.93 seconds, snagging a silver medal instead.

After not contesting in the 400mH since August 2022, the 25-year-old made a much-anticipated return at the Edwin Moses Legends Meet on May 31. Unsurprisingly, she cruised to the finish line with 52.70 seconds on the clock, which became the new world lead in the event. With this, she moved on to the U.S. Olympic trials. The hurdler punched her ticket to the Games by clocking in 50.65 seconds at Hayward Field. But here’s the kicker! She shaved off 0.03 seconds from her world record set in 2022.

However, breaking records has never been out of the norm for her. Including her stunning victory in Stade de France, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has shattered the world record six times throughout her career. She is also the only athlete in history to have accomplished this feat. But this wasn’t the last time fans saw her on the track. The 4x Olympic gold medalist drew the curtains on her season by contesting at the grand finale of the 2024 Diamond League. 

The hurdler didn’t qualify to contest at the meet. But she contested in the 200m and 400m invitationals before the final events at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme. In the 200m, she surged past the finish in 22.40 seconds despite the chilly weather conditions. The 25-year-old didn’t disappoint in the 400m either. With a blistering 49.11 seconds, she clocked the seventh-best time of the year. But with the World Athletics Awards inching closer, will the 4x Olympic gold medalist emerge victorious?