"Getting rewarded with candy—I decided that’s what I wanted to do" - When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won her first track meet at the age of six

Four-time Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once revealed that a candy bar reward at the age of six inspired her to pursue a career in track running.

Hailing from a family of runners, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's father, Willie, was a three-time NCAA All-American, and her mother, Mary, was an accomplished high school runner and the student manager for the men's track team at Manhattan College. Growing up in such an athletic environment, Sydney and her three siblings developed a strong passion for running. At the age of six, Sydney participated in her first competition and won, earning a reward of a candy bar.

Reflecting on her early sprinting days, McLaughlin-Levrone shared with L'Officiel in 2021 that her parents were delighted when she won her first race, and it was at that moment that she realized what she wanted to pursue.

"Running was just fun. Winning for the first time and seeing how happy my parents were and getting rewarded with candy—I decided that’s what I wanted to do," she said. "My parents didn’t really coach or train me—they just let me run and I would win, and they saw potential in that."

The 25-year-old American phenom is considered one of the most successful women's sprinters in the world, having won four Olympic golds and three World Championship titles. At the recently concluded Paris Olympics in August, she broke her own 400m hurdles world record to defend her title with a time of 50.37 seconds. In addition, she helped Team United States secure the 4x400m relay title, where she ran the second leg in 47.71 seconds, the fourth fastest split in world history.

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"I don't know what the future holds" - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opens up about her upcoming aspirations

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone pictured at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 (Image via Getty)

When asked if she might compete in the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone expressed uncertainty about her future. However, she acknowledged that running in front of her home crowd would be a truly special experience for her.

"I mean, I don't know what the future holds. I don't know what's in the cards for me, but bringing the Games back to the United States is going to be special in and of itself," she said (via Olympics.com).

McLaughlin-Levrone also mentioned that whether in the 400m hurdles or any other event, it would be an honor for her to represent the United States at the Olympic Games once again.