McLaughlin-Levrone is a generational runner.
She can leap over hurdles faster than most people can run open events.
But knowing that she’s fast just scratches the surface of McLaughlin-Levrone.
Here’s everything to know about the Olympic gold medalist.
By all accounts, she was destined to be fast.
After all, the world-class athlete is part of a track and field dynasty.
Sydney’s father, Willie McLaughlin, had an admirable track career of his own.
Sydney’s mother, Mary McLaughlin, was a track star in high school.
Additionally, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s siblings are great runners.
“All of our kids are fairly talented.
But (Sydney’s) a little special.
We saw it coming.
It was just a matter of time,” Willie said of his daughter toMile Split USAin 2014.
The future Olympian even surprised herself when she was in high school.
“Actually, I didn’t think I would be running this fast until my sophomore or junior year.
At the time of the interview, she was just 14 years old.
In her freshman year, McLaughlin-Levrone was running the 400-meter hurdles at around 56.9 seconds.
As for her 400-meter split in the 4x400-meter relay, McLaughlin-Levrone recorded a 52.2.
The athlete always had a growth mindset, looking to constantly improve her performance.
“That race I was looking to get the national record not the freshmen record.
At just 16 years old, she qualified for the Olympic Games.
The Olympian didn’t make it to the finals that year after placing 5th in her semi-final heat.
(McLaughlin-Levrone’s teammate Dalilah Muhammad went on to win gold for the United States in the event.)
Though she didn’t place, McLaughlin-Levrone walked away from the Rio Games feeling optimistic.
“I’m a better athlete now,” she said toMile Split USAafter returning from Rio.
She finished her amateur career by getting even faster and breaking more records.
McLaughlin-Levrone also had a decision to make: go to college or go pro.
McLaughlin-Levrone had some work to do when she got to Kentucky.
The Olympian most certainly made the necessary adjustments and had a successful collegiate career.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won gold at the Tokyo games
When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone returned to theU.S.
Women’s Olympic Team in 2021, she had a lot to prove.
But McLaughlin-Levrone didn’t let the pressure get to her.
There was no love lost between the athletes, though.
“I’m so thankful to be able to even run with such amazing, inspiring women.
She’s married to an athlete
August 2021 was a big month for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
The following year, Andre popped the question.
I see Jesus in you.
The sporty duo certainly didn’t waste too much time between their engagement and their wedding.
In May 2022, the couple wed at a vineyard in Virginia.
The idyllic event’s guest list included a number of NFL players and Olympians.
And with that, Sydney and Andre’s next chapter was officially underway.
Needless to say, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s track career has been pretty lucrative.
McLaughlin-Levrone has also been the face of campaigns for Neutrogena and David Yurman, advertising their products on Instagram.
But perhaps her most notable endorsement has been with New Balance.
“It’s home, family.
That’s the best part for me,” McLaughlin-Levrone toldNJ.comat the time.
“It’s just been awesome being able to be home, with family and finally celebrate …
It’s just really great to have the opportunity to share it with everyone else,” she said.
It was not lost on McLaughlin-Levrone how special the occasion was.
“This is very overwhelming.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is a published author
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s list of accomplishments only continues to grow.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s memoir also dug into her longtime struggles with anxiety and fear.
Although she certainly seems unflappable on the track, she’s dealt with anxiety throughout her entire career.
McLaughlin-Levrone went on to note that learning to look within helped her work through these obstacles.
“I think a lot of that pressure I put on myself,” she said.
“A lot of it was stuff that was all in my head.”
But by grace, through faith, Jesus has given me everything.
Records come and go.
The glory of God is eternal.
Thank you Father.”
“I convinced myself that I was put on this earth to win.
And so you can receive love and respect from others, I had to finish first.
If I didn’t, what good was I?”
she said toWomen’s Running.
She had previously spin up the event in 50.68 seconds in July 2022.
McLaughlin-Levrone now occupies seven of the 10 fastest times in the event’s history for women.
The history-making athlete was stunned by her own performance immediately after breaking the world record.
“I knew my stride pattern wasn’t my original plan,” she toldNBC Sports.
