“It’s very professionally put together”-Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone shares reason for signing as the first racer for Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning champion in 400m hurdles, opened up about signing as the first racer of the Grand Slam Track, a league created by Michael Johnson to revolutionize the landscape of track. Johnson announced that the league will launch in April 2025.

The 2022 World Athletics' Female Athlete of the Year took time off the track in 2023, in the wake of a knee injury. However, she returned dominantly in 2024 and swept two wins in the 100m hurdles and 200m flat. She ran the 400m hurdles in a time of 52.70s at the Edwin Moses Legends Meet to take a comfortable victory.

Michael Johnson, a former track icon and a current commentator on NBC, ruled the track in his time, having broken the 200m world record at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. According to him, the recent framework of USA Track and Field is not getting the exposure or the power it deserves.

Hence, he introduced the Grand Slam Track, offering $12.6 million in prize money. His initiative will host four track meets every year for top-tier athletes. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone became the first athlete to sign with GST. In elation, she revealed that the initiative sat well with her values and how she perceived the track world to reach great heights, as posted on CITIUS Mag's Instagram handle.

“I’m very excited to be part of this endeavor. @mjgold4 has done a great job of putting this together...It’s very professionally put together and I really feel like it’s going to elevate the platforms of the athletes that compete more than once every four years at the Olympics and give us opportunities to compete on a regular basis against the best of the best.”

Syndey McLaughlin-Levrone became the 2020 Tokyo Olympics champion in the 400m hurdles, setting the Games record. She was the first woman to break the 52s and 51s barrier back-to-back and lower her world record time four times in 13 months (June 2021 to July 2022).

"I love sleep" - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on prioritizing adequate rest ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics

2023 USATF Outdoor Championships Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

In a conversation with Women's Health interviewer Amy Wilkinson, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone said that one of her favorite activities, when she is not running or working out, is sleeping.

“I love sleep. My husband [former NFL player Andre Levrone, Jr.] says he’s actually concerned by how much I love sleep. A good night for me is nine hours. An amazing night is 10," the 24-year-old raved.

A performer of such a measure is cognizant that proper rest is a key factor in sports.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will look to compete in the 400m hurdles at the USATF Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon, slated for June 21-30, 2024.