"It was especially hard for my parents" - When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone recalled how 'prayers' helped convince family about marriage to Andre Levrone

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once revealed that her parents were against the idea of her early marriage with Andre Levrone in 2022. She was the youngest daughter of her parents and was just 22 years of age at that time, which led to her family's hesitance towards her plans to marry early.

McLaughlin-Levrone met Andre in 2020 and the two connected through Instagram. They hit it off well and after a few weeks of friendship, the relationship blossomed into a romantic one, with the couple announcing their engagement in August 2021.

Less than a year later after their engagement, the couple got married in May 2022 in a romantic ceremony at Early Mountain Vineyards in Virginia. The function was attended by close friends and the family of the couple.

Recalling her preparation for her big day in her book, Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith, Sydney claimed that her parents were initially against the idea of her early marriage.

"I think it was especially hard for my parents at first. Since I was their youngest daughter, just twenty-two years old, marrying a guy she met on the internet, their parental concern was understandable," she recalled.

The 25-year-old added that she and her then-fiance Andre had to work extra hard to show their commitment to each other.

"Andre and I had to work extra hard to show them how committed we were to each other and let them see the love we shared. After some difficult conversations and much prayer, everyone was on the same page. It brought clarity and joy to the situation," she added.

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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone grew up in an athletic family where the competition started at breakfast only

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

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's mother Mary McLaughlin is a former middle-distance runner while her father Willie McLaughlin was a member of the Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame. He received three All-American honors during his collegiate career and finished in the semifinals of the 400m at the 1984 Olympic Trials.

All of Sydney's siblings competed in track and field as well during their high school, which led to the competition in the family right from breakfast.

"We were always competitive growing up, you know, even running to breakfast in the morning was a competition and so, I honestly it's just a natural inclination being a McLaughlin," she said on Jennifer Hudson show.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was in her top form yet again in 2024, winning two gold medals at the Paris Olympics. She also broke the 400m hurdles world record twice during the season.