"I'm a perfect mix for 400 hurdles"- When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opened up on her parents' impact on excelling in her career as a track athlete

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opened up about the impact that her parents had on her sporting career. The American athlete revealed that her parents, who were athletes themselves, had a profound impact on inculcating the right morals and competitive spirit in her.

McLaughlin-Levrone recently concluded her third consecutive Olympic campaign at the Olympic Games in Paris and took home two gold medals. She successfully defended her title in the 400m hurdles and created a new world record, trouncing fellow athletes Femke Bol and Anna Crockell.

The American athlete has been unbeaten in the event since 2019 and continued to assert her dominance in the track circuit, emerging as one of the greatest athletes to compete in the 400m hurdles with six world records under her name. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone had once spoken about the impact of her parents on her track career as well as being a 'perfect mix' to run the 400m hurdles.

"So, both of my parents ran. My mom ran in high school, she ran the 800m and my dad ran the 400 so I was like perfect mix for 400m hurdles. You know, you got that strength and that speed. But, yes, they both are track and field lovers at heart and they just did an amazing job, I feel like because of the values and morals my family had growing up, kind of fostering and building my career up and protecting the child and I think that is something that people don't consider in an individual sport like track there are so many things that you have to figure out for yourself," she said.

Furthermore, she credited her siblings for having a competitive environment at home that fueled her desire to win.

---

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on her parents' support during her early years as an athlete

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 - Athletics - Source: Getty

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone spoke about her parents' support during her early years as an athlete in an interview with Jesus Calling. She revealed how her parents never forced her into rigorous activities but instead wanted her to enjoy the sport as she developed her skills as an athlete.

"I think my parents, I credit them so much for how they handled my young years. They didn’t want to overwhelm me with rigorous training at a young age. They really wanted me to grow and develop number one, my body, and number two my love for the sport naturally," she said.

"Not because they wanted to force me into anything, not because I had some coach that wanted me to go win Nationals. It was very much so, “If you love this, if you want to do this, great,” she added.

Furthermore, she revealed how her father would focus more on teaching her proper running techniques and the basics of the sport.