Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, a 25-year-old Olympic gold medalist and the fastest woman in her sport, has now been inducted into the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame. At the 2024 Paris Games, she made history by becoming the first woman to win back-to-back gold medals in the 400m hurdles, breaking the world record with a time of 50.37 seconds. Despite these achievements, she expressed a lingering regret during her induction speech.
In 2018, while competing for the University of Kentucky, McLaughlin-Levrone won both the NCAA and SEC championships in the 400-meter hurdles, setting a college record with a time of 52.75 seconds. However, she only competed for one season with the Wildcats, a fact that brings some disappointment, particularly to her mother.
Reflecting on her time at Kentucky, McLaughlin-Levrone spoke of the challenges she faced, acknowledging the difficulties many college athletes experience. She expressed gratitude for her time at the university, emphasizing how it shaped her into the person she is today. Although she did not complete her degree, she highlighted how much she learned during that year and thanked her parents for encouraging her to attend college, attributing her success to their support.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s parents, both former athletes, played a significant role in her development. Her father, Willie, was a three-time NCAA All-American in the 400 meters, while her mother, Mary, was a distance runner. Their influence and support have been instrumental in her success, but her journey has not been without obstacles.
At the 2024 Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone cemented her legacy with a record-breaking performance in the 400m hurdles and helped the U.S. women’s 4×400 relay team secure gold with a time of 3:15.27, the second-fastest time in history.
However, her season faced a setback when she was unable to compete in the Diamond League final, as she hadn’t accumulated enough points for a “Global Wild Card” invitation. Despite this, McLaughlin-Levrone remains a standout athlete, continuing to make her family and country proud.
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