Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Biography of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: A Track and Field Phenom

Early Life and Background

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (née McLaughlin) was born on August 7, 1999, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She is the daughter of Willie and Mary McLaughlin. Her father, Willie, was an accomplished athlete, part of a lineage of track stars from East Orange High School. He was a three-time All-American at Manhattan College and a semi-finalist in the 400 meters at the 1984 Olympic Trials. Her mother, Mary, was a talented half-miler who ran on the boys’ team at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Tonawanda, New York.

Sydney grew up in Dunellen, New Jersey, and started running at an early age, inspired by her older siblings. Her brother Taylor and sister Morgan were both accomplished runners, with Taylor winning silver in the 400 meter hurdles at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships. Sydney attended Union Catholic Regional High School in Scotch Plains, where she was an academic standout and a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Track & Field.

Rise to Prominence

At 15, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone became the 2015 World Youth champion. In 2016, she made headlines as the youngest athlete since 1980 to qualify for the U.S. Olympic track team, placing third at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a world under-18 best of 54.15 seconds. Although she did not advance to the finals at the Rio Olympics, her performance established her as a rising star in track and field.

In 2017, McLaughlin continued to break records. She was part of an American record-setting team that broke the indoor distance medley relay world record. She also set a national high school record in the 300-meter hurdles at the Arcadia Invitational, and her performances in relays and individual events earned her widespread recognition.

Collegiate Career at the University of Kentucky

In November 2016, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Kentucky. During her time there, she set the world junior 400-meter record of 50.36 seconds at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships. She also broke the collegiate record in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 52.75 seconds at the SEC championships.

Professional Career and Record-Breaking Performances

In June 2018, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone turned professional after one year at Kentucky, signing a sponsorship deal with New Balance. Coached by Bob Kersee, she quickly established herself as a dominant force in the 400-meter hurdles. At the 2019 World Championships in Doha, she finished second behind Dalilah Muhammad. However, she claimed Olympic gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games with a world record time of 51.46 seconds.

McLaughlin-Levrone’s performances in 2022 further cemented her legacy. She broke her own world record twice: first with a time of 51.41 seconds at the USATF Championships, and then with 50.68 seconds at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Her achievements earned her the title of World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year.

In June 2024, she set another world record at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a time of 50.65 seconds. McLaughlin-Levrone is the first woman to break both the 52-second (June 2021) and 51-second (July 2022) barriers in the 400-meter hurdles, holding six of the nine fastest times on the world all-time list.

Personal Life

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone married Andre Levrone Jr., a former NFL wide receiver, on May 5, 2022. The couple is deeply rooted in their Christian faith and are members of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles. Andre is also enrolled at The Master’s Seminary, affiliated with their church.

McLaughlin-Levrone’s achievements have been recognized in her hometown, where the track at Columbia Park in Dunellen, New Jersey, was named in her honour on August 28, 2021. On January 30, 2024, she released an autobiographical book titled “Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith,” recounting her life and experiences from the 2016 U.S. Olympic trials through the 2023 outdoor season.

Legacy and Future Prospects

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s career is marked by unprecedented achievements and relentless pursuit of excellence. She holds the current world U20 record of 53.60 seconds and has set multiple world records in the 400-meter hurdles. Her dominance in the sport is unparalleled, with nearly a one-second advantage on the world all-time list, the largest current difference between the world record and the next best performer in the event.

As she continues to train and compete, McLaughlin-Levrone’s focus remains on pushing the boundaries of what is possible in track and field. Her dedication to her craft and her faith-driven approach to life make her a role model for aspiring athletes worldwide. The track world eagerly anticipates her future performances, with the possibility of even greater records on the horizon.

https://globalbuzznetwork.com/sydney-mclaughlin-levrone-set-a-new-world-record-in-the-400-meter-hurdles/

Personal Information

• Birth Name: Sydney Michelle McLaughlin
• Full Name: Sydney Michelle McLaughlin-Levrone
• Born: August 7, 1999 (age 24)
• Birthplace: New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
• Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
• Employer: New Balance
• Spouse: Andre Levrone Jr.

Athletic Career

• Country: United States
• Sport: Track and Field
• Events:
• 400 m hurdles
• 400 m
• College Team: Kentucky Wildcats (2017–2018)
• Coaches:
• Bob Kersee (2020–Present)
• Joanna Hayes (2018–2020)
• Edrick Floréal (2017–2018)
• Mike McCabe (2013–2017)

Achievements and Titles

• Highest World Ranking: 1 (75 weeks in 400 m hurdles)

Personal Bests

• 100 m: 11.07 w (2018)
• 200 m: 22.07 (2024)
• 400 m: 48.74 (2023)
• 100 m Hurdles: 12.65 (2021)
• 400 m Hurdles: 50.65 (2024, World Record)
• Short Track:
• 200 m: 22.68 i (2018)
• 400 m: 50.36 i (2018, American Junior Record)

Medal Record

Olympic Games

• Gold Medal: 2020 Tokyo, 400 m hurdles
• Gold Medal: 2020 Tokyo, 4×400 m relay

World Championships

• Gold Medal: 2019 Doha, 4×400 m relay
• Gold Medal: 2022 Eugene, 400 m hurdles
• Gold Medal: 2022 Eugene, 4×400 m relay
• Silver Medal: 2019 Doha, 400 m hurdles

Diamond League

• First Place: 2019, 400 m hurdles

World Youth Championships

• Gold Medal: 2015 Cali, 400 m hurdles

https://olympics.com/en/news/sydney-mclaughlin-levrone-on-writing-her-new-book-exclusive

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: From Athlete to Author

New Book and Personal Reflections

At just 24, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone adds “author” to her titles of Olympic gold medalist and world record holder. Her book, “Far Beyond Gold: Running From Fear to Faith,” releases on January 30, 2024. The book details her journey in athletics, her rapid rise, and the challenges she faced, including anxiety at the Rio 2016 Olympics and high school mistreatment.

Authenticity and Connection

McLaughlin-Levrone emphasizes authenticity in her writing, aiming to connect with readers through vulnerability. She hopes her story will resonate with young people facing similar struggles. “We all have issues and battles,” she said, aiming to show that athletes and entertainers also face everyday challenges.

Growth Through Writing

Revisiting her past, both good and bad, proved healing for McLaughlin-Levrone. Writing allowed her to reflect on her growth and understand the significance of tough times. “It was a full-circle process of seeing how I started and where I am now,” she shared.

Future Plans

While her focus for 2024 is the Paris Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone envisions a future in writing. She enjoys writing poetry and sees potential for more literary endeavors. “There could be more writing,” she hinted, expressing her love for sharing thoughts and emotions through words