Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s remarkable achievements in 2024 have solidified her as one of the top athletes of our time. She began the year on a high note by earning the title of Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year. This recognition came after her stunning performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she not only won gold in the 400-meter hurdles but also set two new world records. Her 50.37-second finish in Paris marked her sixth world record in the event, a feat that only she has achieved with such consistency.
Beyond her athletic accomplishments, McLaughlin-Levrone’s return to Kentucky marked a special moment in her journey. After her Olympic triumphs, she was inducted into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame, completing a full-circle return to the place where her career began. In a competitive vote for Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year, she triumphed over her college coach, Nick Mingione, and basketball player Travis Perry, who had an impressive season of his own. McLaughlin-Levrone’s victory in the voting was decisive, securing 1,004 points, with 40 first-place votes.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s dominance in track and field continued throughout the year, culminating in her win as the 2024 Female Track Athlete of the Year. She outperformed top athletes like Julien Alfred, who had a stellar Olympics, securing gold in the 100 meters and silver in the 200 meters. McLaughlin-Levrone, however, stood out for her record-breaking achievements and dual gold medals in the 400-meter hurdles and 4×400-meter relay, making history by becoming the first athlete to set four world records in the same event period within just 13 months.
Despite facing a minor knee injury in 2023 that kept her from competing in the World Championships, McLaughlin-Levrone made a triumphant return in 2024, achieving a world-leading time of 48.75 seconds at the USATF New York Grand Prix. Since 2019, she has maintained an unbroken winning streak in the 400-meter hurdles, further cementing her status as a dominant force in track and field. Her achievements, coupled with her ability to perform at the highest level after setbacks, make her a standout athlete in the world of athletics.