"Everyone is now chasing after you"-When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opened up about changing her race tactic that led her to win gold at Tokyo Olympics

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone bagged her first Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games, after which she opened up on the shift in her tactics that attributed to her dominance in the races. So far, McLaughlin-Levrone has bagged four Olympic gold medals from the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Games.

She debuted at the Games as a 17-year-old at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where the American favorite had to settle in fifth place in the semifinal round of the women's 400m hurdles. Four years later, with added experience and lessons, McLaughlin-Levrone made a significant difference in her mindset, ultimately leading her to dominate the races.

During an interview with Olympics.com, she reflected on the change in her mindset, stating that leading the race requires not only competing against others but also the clock.

"Running from the front is definitely a different feeling than running from behind," she said. "It can be very exciting or very scary, depending on how you want to view it. But it just takes a lot of focus and intentionality. You know, everyone is now chasing after you and you are chasing after the clock and so I think you're in that mindset, it's really just about focusing on what you're there to execute, what you need to focus on, on your race and your lane, because there is nobody to feed off of that point." (at 0:21)

"It's definitely you focusing on you," McLaughlin-Levrone added.

"Relationships make winning, losing that much more enjoyable" - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone attributes her success to her husband Andre Levrone and her team

Andre Levrone and Sydney McLaughlin attend the Christian Dior Womenswear Spring/Summer show in Paris, France. (Photo by GC Images)

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has shattered the women's 400m hurdles world record six times so far in her journey.

Along with her four Olympic gold medals, she has bagged four medals at world championships and a Diamond League victory. In the same interview, the American hurdler credited much of her success to her husband Andre Levrone, Coach Bobby Kersee, and the entire team, stating the victories are enjoyable when shared with them.

"I stand on the line as one person, but it truly is an army behind me," Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone said. "Whether it be Bobby training me to get to that point, my trainer Malachi helping me as well, or Andre encouraging me, and supporting me, it's a team effort. And those relationships make winning, losing that much more, you know enjoyable."

At the Paris Games, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone successfully defended her 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay events titles.