"I was broken, had no sense of control" - When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone recalled hitting 'rock bottom' after Worlds' loss & rejection by boyfriend

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once recalled that she was devastated after losing the 400m hurdles finals at the 2019 World Championships which was followed up with a rejection from her ex-boyfriend. The American sprinter finished second during the finals behind former world record holder Dalilah Muhammad.

While McLaughlin-Levrone made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she turned professional with New Balance in 2018. The following season marked her first as a pro, and after an impressive first half, she lost twice to Muhammad at the U.S. and the World Championships.

Recalling her disappointment in her 2024 memoir 'Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith', the 25-year-old said it marked the lowest emotional moment of her career. However, her condition worsened after she sought the help of her ex-boyfriend.

"In that tunnel of the Doha stadium, I reached the lowest emotional point of my racing career. But I hadn’t yet reached rock bottom. Not for me as a person. That was waiting for me when I returned to the States. Just a few weeks after Doha, I went back east, to see an old boyfriend," she wrote.

"By the end of that trip, I was broken. I knew, without a doubt, that I needed help. I had no sense of control anymore. Everything that had once seemed to be my peace quickly became my nightmare. I couldn’t fix myself."

The four-time Olympic champion revealed that although they had broken up in 2016, they had still kept in touch. She asked him if they could get back together, and while she was sure of hearing a yes, McLaughlin-Levrone faced rejection.

"My stomach dropped. Did he just say no? Did I just lose twice? Am I not who I think I am? He had more to say, but I remember only the rejection. I felt empty. Worthless. Everything I’d looked to for purpose was slowly crumbling in front of me. As my heart broke, I thought, The only way I’m going to heal from this is a miracle from God," Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone added.

The New Jersey native did avenge her 400m hurdles loss at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, clocking a world record time of 51.90s to beat Dalilah Muhammad. She also married former NFL player Andre Levrone in 2022.

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"I struggled to believe I was truly beautiful" - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on why rejection from her old boyfriend affected her so much

World Athletics Awards 2024 - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Source: Getty)

Weighing in on her dating experience in her 2024 memoir, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone revealed she used to be insecure about her looks and sought the affirmation of other people which eventually led to heartbreak.

"At the root of my need for that relationship was a deep-seated sense of insecurity. From a young age, I struggled to believe I was truly beautiful. Self-confidence didn’t come naturally to me, and it wasn’t something I was encouraged to cultivate," she wrote.

McLaughlin-Levrone also explained that she hadn't yet gotten close to her faith and termed it as one of the reasons for getting influenced by people's opinions.

"I also hadn’t yet learned the healthy view of self, worth, and purpose that is found in Christ. For that reason, I was easily influenced by other people’s affirmation or rejection of me," she added.

The three-time Olympian enjoyed a remarkable season in 2024, winning two Olympic gold medals and breaking her 400m hurdles world record twice. She credited her unwavering faith in God for the successful Olympic campaign.