"He realized in many ways I'm lot like Jackie Joyner-Kersee"- When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's coach recognized her similarities to athletics legend

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once opened up about the time her coach Bobby Kersee recognized similarities between her and his wife and three-time Olympic gold medalist, Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

This came last year during the New Balance Indoor Nationals where she didn't compete but was present in the studio. During the event, McLaughlin-Levron sat down for a conversation during which she recalled the early years with Kersee.

Speaking during the interview with Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber, McLaughlin-Levrone revealed that she and Kersee took some time to break the ice between them.

She also stated it was during this time that her coach realized that she was quite similar to the legendary US track athlete Joyner-Kersee, whom he had coached in the past. She said (via Citius Meg at 8:07):

"The first year we were trying to figure each other out. But once he realized in many ways I'm a lot like Jackie (Jackie Joyner-Kersee), it was like, 'oh okay I have played this game before and I know how this goes,' and now we understand each other very well."

McLaughlin-Levrone has been coached by the legendary and experienced Kersee since 2020 after her split with Joanna Hayes. The 400m hurdler has found immense success under him and has also won four Olympic gold medals so far under Kersee.

---

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on the two basic things she has to carry during her training sessions

McLaughlin-Levrone after winning the 200m invitational race at the Diamond League finals (Image: Getty)

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone recently opened up about some of the necessities she has to carry religiously on the track during her training session. This comes just a month after she concluded her 2024 track and field season with two invitational races at the Brussels Diamond League meet.

During an interview with Well+Good, McLaughlin-Levrone revealed that she needs to carry her sunscreens and wipes with her practice kit as she sweats a lot during her training drills on the track.

"I go to practice and I always have two things with me: sunscreen and makeup wipes. I use sports sunscreen and then I also have in my bag the makeup remover wipes," Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone said.

During the interview, the 25-year-old also mentioned her morning diet which includes eggs, bananas, oatmeal, etc, and gives her a sufficient amount of calories to train on the track.