Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone shattered records and expectations when she broke the 400m hurdles world record at the 2021 Olympic Trials, marking a time of 51.90 seconds—a feat that made her the first woman to run the event under 52 seconds.
Yet, this historic moment was clouded by a surprising emotional challenge.
Days after her achievement, McLaughlin-Levrone released an emotional video where she revealed the lukewarm reaction from some around her.
“These are opportunities that you don’t get every single day. I felt like the people I thought would be the most excited for me literally almost didn’t even care,” she said.
More than just a sports icon, McLaughlin-Levrone’s trials extend beyond the track.
In her poignant video message, she expressed a sense of spiritual rejection tied to her faith, explaining that those dismissing her were, in her view, not just overlooking her as an athlete but also rejecting “Jesus living in me.”
McLaughlin-Levrone’s journey to this point has been marked by significant highs and challenging lows.
Rising to prominence after claiming the world youth title in 2015 and becoming the youngest U.S. track Olympian since 1980 at the 2016 Olympic Trials, she initially competed under the towering presence of then-world record holder Dalilah Muhammad.
The competitive environment was intense, and it was not until the post-COVID resumption of the track season that she began to truly dominate her sport, undefeated in every race since her 2021 breakthrough.
The athlete’s experiences with societal acceptance and personal rejection were vividly expressed when she noted: “Our world only accepts ignorance and it hurts my feelings… There’s still always a problem with you… I know they don’t reject me, they reject Jesus living in me… I could do nothing to so many people and that offends them.”
Moreover, McLaughlin-Levrone’s stance on fame and respect reveals her maturity and the values she prioritizes.
Despite the accolades and the global spotlight, she sought not fame but respect, emphasizing the disrespect she felt overshadowed her athletic integrity and the content of her character, influenced by her racial identity and public profile.
“I don’t want the fame. I would just like a little bit of respect… You may not agree with my message, but in the sport at the age of 21 to be a two-time Olympian and a world record holder, I would just like a little bit of respect, just a little bit,” she expressed.
The resilience of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to not only compete at the highest levels but to also navigate the complexities of public perception and personal identity highlights why she is an extraordinary figure in sports and beyond.
Her record-breaking run in Tokyo and her further triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she again broke her own world record, affirm her unmatched prowess on the track. Yet, it is her courage to live authentically, upholding her faith and calling for genuine respect, that truly defines her legacy.
