“I remember turning to mom being like ‘I want to do that’”- When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone recalled being inspired by Sanya Richards-Ross’ Olympic run

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once revealed that her Olympic ambitions started after watching Sanya Richards-Ross compete during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The American hurdler eventually accomplished her dreams after making her debut eight years later in Rio.

McLaughlin-Levrone was born into an athletic family and was inclined towards running from an early age. Her father, Willie McLaughlin, was a 400m sprinter and had competed at the 1984 Olympic Trials while her mother Willie McLaughlin was a half-miler in college.

Despite her father having competed at the Olympic Trials, McLaughlin-Levrone's Olympic ambitions only started after watching Sanya Richards-Ross win a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Recalling the moment in an interview with Olympics.com in 2021, she said:

"I distinctively remember watching in 2008 and seeing Sanya running and I remember turning to my mom, being like 'I want to do that'. And she was like 'Ok, great.'" [2:50 onwards]

Richards-Ross won the gold medal in the 4x400m relay and a bronze medal in the 400m at the Beijing Olympics, and after watching her fellow American sprinter shine at the Games, McLaughlin-Levrone hoped to be in the same position in the future.

"I remember those moments just looking and seeing myself in that same position and wanting to be able to accomplish the things that some of these amazing woman have and just being able to have the opportunity to even possibly do that," Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone added.

The 25-year-old later made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing as a semifinalist. Following the interview with Olympics.com, she won gold medals in the 4x400m relay and 400m hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics. The New Jersey repeated the double gold medal feat at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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"It's a surreal moment" - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone after breaking 400m hurdles world record for sixth time

Athletics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in action - Source: Getty

While Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was the overwhelming favorite to win the 400m hurdles title at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the American hurdler obliterated the world record yet again in the distance, running a blistering 50.37s for her second consecutive title.

The 25-year-old was in disbelief following the race and called it a surreal moment. Speaking in an interview with Olympics.com, she said:

"It hasn't really fully hit me yet. Blessed, honestly. And excited. It's a surreal moment. But now an amazing, amazing opportunity. And I'm grateful."

It was the American's sixth world record in the 400m hurdles, having broken it for the first time at the 2021 Olympic Trials, clocking 51.90s to defeat rival Dalilah Muhammad. It was her first victory over Muhammed at a major championship, with the 25-year-old yet to lose a single 400m hurdles race since then.