In 2016, the U.S. Olympic Trials marked a pivotal moment for a 16-year-old athlete who was about to make history. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set a new U18 world record in the women’s 400m hurdles, an achievement that propelled her into the spotlight. Few athletes can claim to have made it to the Olympics at such a young age, but Sydney did. While still in high school, she became the youngest American track and field athlete to qualify for the Olympics. However, despite her extraordinary talent, she wasn’t prepared for the immense pressure of competing at the highest level. Reflecting on that moment, she admitted, “Honestly, I robbed myself of an opportunity.”
McLaughlin-Levrone’s journey to the 2016 Rio Olympics was driven purely by her raw talent. Though her potential was evident, her performance was limited to the semifinals, where she finished with a time of 56.22 seconds—just short of making the final. Many young athletes would have been devastated, but she took a different perspective. Instead of seeing it as a failure, she recognized that she wasn’t mentally or physically ready for the intensity of such a grand stage.
During a discussion at the 2025 Upfront Summit, legendary sprinter Michael Johnson asked McLaughlin-Levrone about her thoughts on missing the Olympic final as a teenager. Her response was candid and revealing. “I honestly think I wasn’t prepared for that moment, and I don’t think I would have been ready to make that final,” she admitted. She even confessed to feeling hesitant about reaching the final, saying, “There was a part of me even going into the semifinal that didn’t want to make the final.”
Her reasoning was clear—she was overwhelmed by the mere thought of handling the pressure that comes with an Olympic final. The idea of competing against seasoned professionals at such a young age was daunting. Looking back, she acknowledged that her instincts were correct. “I think there was just so much I didn’t know. For me, I think I was relieved that I didn’t move on,” she stated.
Although her first Olympic experience ended sooner than expected, she knew this was only the beginning of her journey. Her ambitions remained intact—winning Olympic gold and breaking world records were still very much in her plans. However, deep down, she understood that Rio was not the right moment for her to shine. This feeling had lingered with her for years. “I left Rio with the feeling that I had left something behind. It was very hard,” she once said.
If things had turned out differently and she had made the final, could she have secured a spot on the podium? While unlikely, it wasn’t entirely out of the question.
By 2018, McLaughlin-Levrone was already proving her immense potential. That year, she entered the University of Kentucky and wasted no time making her mark. Within just three races, she shattered the collegiate record with a time of 53.21 seconds and later improved it to 52.75 at the SEC Outdoor Championships. Even during the 2016 Olympic season, she had shown signs of rapid progression. Had she approached the Rio Games with a different mindset, she might have managed to lower her times further, which could have positioned her as a real contender.
Despite the initial disappointment of her Olympic debut, McLaughlin-Levrone’s early struggles turned out to be a crucial learning experience. Her time in Rio may not have brought her a medal, but it fueled her drive to return stronger and more prepared for future success.