Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is pushing boundaries and exploring new territory in her career. Known for dominating the 400-meter hurdles, she is now setting her sights on broader challenges. “Just trying to be the best overall athlete I can be,” she said, following a commanding performance at the Grand Slam Track (GST) event. In her debut at GST, McLaughlin-Levrone left no doubt about her dominance, earning 24 points and walking away with a $100,000 prize.
She made a powerful statement by effortlessly winning the 400-meter hurdles and then following it up with a victory in the 400-meter flat race, clocking an impressive 50.32 seconds. Her performances were not only dominant but also served as a prelude to a major announcement. After her double win, she hinted at expanding her focus beyond her usual events.
While addressing the media, McLaughlin-Levrone praised the energy of the crowd and shared her excitement about the atmosphere. Then came the surprise—she revealed plans to compete in a wider variety of events. “We might do the hundred, hundred hurdles. We might do the two, four. So, it’s going to be a little bit of everything. I don’t think it’s just four, four hurdles,” she explained. Her comments showed a clear intention to challenge herself across multiple disciplines in track and field.
She confirmed plans to participate in the 100m and 100m hurdles at an upcoming event in Philadelphia. This marks a return to events she has previously tested, with personal bests of 11.07 seconds in the 100m and 12.65 seconds in the 100m hurdles. Despite her expansion, she emphasized that the 400m remains a core focus, but experimenting with shorter sprints is a new priority.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s presence in GST is symbolic. She was the first athlete signed by Michael Johnson for the league, and she has embraced the role of both competitor and ambassador. Johnson noted that Sydney immediately understood the vision behind GST, saying, “She’s one of those athletes that likes to race on the big stage. She loves it.”
The Grand Slam Track series is designed to elevate track and field with four major showcase events annually. The format offers athletes a base salary, significant prize money, and the freedom to wear their own gear, removing conflicts with personal sponsors. McLaughlin-Levrone, sponsored by New Balance, benefits directly from this flexibility.
As the league aims to revolutionize the sport, Sydney’s involvement provides both credibility and excitement. Her willingness to compete in multiple events, her commanding wins, and her star power make her the face of this new movement. With her at the forefront, GST appears to be off to a strong and promising start.