5 unknown facts about 400m hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ft. her juggling skills

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is an exceptionally talented athlete who consistently delivers breathtaking performances on the track. Beyond her world records, this 25-year-old possesses other intriguing facets that may surprise many.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone exuded pure class as she shattered the 400m hurdles world record at the Paris Olympics, clocking an astonishing 50.37 seconds to claim her sixth world record in the event. Her dominant performance underscores the fact that the two-time Olympic champion consistently delivers when it matters most.

Here, we look at 5 unknown facts about the American hurdler:

Unknown facts about Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

#5. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is an author

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is an author- Source: McLaughlin-Levrone Instagram

In addition to her gold medals and world records, McLaughlin-Levrone is a talented author, having released her first book in January.

The book, titled Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith, is a depiction of how the talented runner overcame the challenges she faced on her path to becoming a world-class athlete.

She identified fear and mental health challenges as key obstacles she encountered early in her career. She credited her faith with being instrumental in developing the self-awareness necessary to overcome impostor syndrome.

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#4. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone can juggle

McLaughlin-Levrone can juggle - (Image via Getty)

McLaughlin-Levrone can juggle. The American learnt the art of juggling when she was five and it’s one of the things she loves to do during her free time.

She disclosed that she learnt how to juggle from her fifth-grade teacher, who incorporated it as a regular class activity.

According to Fangirl Sports Network, her passion for juggling led her to establish a juggling club at her high school, Union Catholic High School in New Jersey

The University of Kentucky graduate can juggle balls and bowling pins while riding a unicycle. She also claimed proficiency with clubs, rings, and curves.

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#3. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone loves playing cards

McLaughlin-Levrone loves playing cards - (Image via Getty)

McLaughlin-Levrone is a fan of playing cards, with UNO being the number on her list. She is a self proclaimed "card master."

In a GQ interview, she credited her intelligence and patience for her exceptional UNO skills. During the interview, she revealed that she always has cards with her and that she even takes them to business meetings and restaurants.

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#2. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s family is full of talented runners

McLaughlin-Levrone's family is full of runners- Source: McLaughlin-Levrone Instagram

McLaughlin-Levrone is not the only one who runs in her family. The 25-year-old’s father, Willie McLaughlin, was a standout runner in college, earning three NCAA All-American honors in the 400m.

Her father narrowly missed qualifying for the 1984 Olympic Games and his athletic excellence earned him a place in the Manhattan College Hall of Fame in 1997. Her mother, Mary McLaughlin, defied expectations by running on the boys' track team during her high school years, as reported by Self.

McLaughlin-Levrone’s brother Taylor was an active athlete at the University of Michigan, where he competed in the Division I track. He won silver at the World Under-20 championships in the 400m hurdles in 2016.

McLaughlin-Levrone's sister, Morgan, competed for St. Peter's University alongside their younger brother, Ryan, who clinched a New Jersey track title during high school.

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#1. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone loves candy

McLaughlin-Levrone, a self-proclaimed candy connoisseur, never disappoints in her sweet tooth selections. According to Self, she credits candy with boosting her speed and enjoys indulging before races.

Some of her favorite candy picks include gummy bears, Jolly Ranchers, and Starbursts. In an interview with GQ, she pointed out that candy doesn't survive more than 24 hours in her household.