"Far away is a bit blurry" - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opens up about struggling with eyesight in 400m hurdles

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has opened up about struggling with jumping over hurdles due to her eye condition. The American hurdler is arguably the greatest female 400m hurdler in history, and alongside winning two Olympic titles in the discipline, she has set the world record six times.

McLaughlin-Levrone made her professional debut in 2019 and came very close to breaking the world record and winning her first major title at the World Championships in Doha. She threatened to overtake eventual winner Dalilah Muhammed on the last hurdle but a not-so-perfect finish resulted in the New Jersey native falling 0.07 seconds short.

The 25-year-old struggled with her jump on the final hurdle again at the 2022 World Championships and nearly fell on the ground. However, she nonetheless won the race and the gold medal, shattering the world record in 50.68s.

The four-time Olympic champion recently opened up about the issue with her eyesight, which resulted in the above-mentioned events. Speaking on the red carpet of the 2024 World Athletics award, McLaughlin-Levrone suggested she had myopic eyesight and struggled with seeing far-away objects clearly.

"I can see close enough but far away is like a bit blurry. Sometimes when I am hurdling and I am moving fast, I have to blink three or four times before I take the jump," Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone said.

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However, the 25-year-old also noted that it was not a big issue for her, as she has demonstrated in her illustrious career so far.

"Honestly, it's not terrible," she concluded.

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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone uncertain about her events in the 2025 season

World Athletics Awards 2024 - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone flexes Female Track Athlete of The Year award (Source: Getty)

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone had shifted entirely to the 400m flat during the 2023 season before an injury ended her season prematurely. She moved back to the 400m hurdles for the Olympic year and was expected to compete again in the 400m flat next season.

However, the world record holder isn't sure about her schedule yet. Speaking at the World Athletics awards after receiving the Female Track Athlete of The Year award in Monaco, she said:

"Honestly, I don't even know. Mondo is already training, I should be back home but honestly I can't even tell you, I just, the number thing is always being healthy and for our team taking it one step at a time making sure we are doing what we need to do and we make some decisions as we go and its worked so far and I'm excited to keep going."

The 25-year-old signed with Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track for the 2025 season earlier this year and is expected to compete over both 400m flat and hurdles. However, she has a possibility of doing the 200/400m double as well if she decides to drop hurdles again.