Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the 25-year-old track star, recently completed her campaign at the Paris Olympics by winning the 400m hurdles in a world record time of 50.37 seconds. She also contributed to her team’s gold medal in the women’s 4x400m relay, running the second leg with a time of 47.71 seconds, helping the quartet finish in 3:15.27. This marked her successful defense of the double gold podium she achieved at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
However, McLaughlin-Levrone’s journey hasn’t always been smooth. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she struggled with anxiety and missed out on reaching the 400m hurdles finals. In her book, *Beyond Gold: Fleeing Fear to Faith*, she reflects on that experience, explaining how she deliberately slowed down during the heats because she felt unprepared mentally, physically, and emotionally to compete in the finals. Looking back, she admits to robbing herself of the opportunity, leaving Rio with the feeling that something had been left unfinished.
Following her triumphs in Paris, McLaughlin-Levrone was inducted into the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame, where she had set the 400m junior world record as an NCAA athlete. She expressed gratitude to her alma mater and the university’s fans for their support during her time there. Recently, McLaughlin-Levrone competed in the 200m and 400m invitational races at the Brussels Diamond League. Although she didn’t win the Diamond League trophy, she was warmly recognized with a bouquet and desserts.
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