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Following the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone cemented her legacy as a peerless sprinter and hurdler. So far, she has collected four Olympic gold medals in her three appearances.
Although her career can be described as nothing short of illustrious, it has witnessed its share of ups and downs. McLaughlin-Levrone has navigated negative emotions, including fear of failure in several instances.
The multiple-time Olympic medalist started her athletics journey at a very young age. In an interview with Guide Posts, published in the June-July 2024 issue, the 25-year-old reflected on her early passion for running, which later turned into a competitive need to win as she began competing.
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Reflecting on the days she began competing, the American remembered expressing her fear of losing to her father, who acknowledged her thoughts and suggested that she enjoyed the moment.
However, his message did not resonate with her. As McLaughlin-Levrone continued to make progress in her athletics journey, her fear of failure intensified, overshadowing her joy for the sport, and leading to pressure and anxiety.
"I began competing, and something else took hold of me. A need not just to run but to win," she said. "On the way to a race when I was seven, I told my dad I was terrified of losing. 'If that happens, we’ll get some food and go home.'"
She added:
"His message didn’t sink in. The more I raced, the more I won. And the more I won, the more fear took over. What if I didn’t win the next time?"
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone earns a spot in the nomination list for the USATF Athlete of the Year 2024 awards
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone earned a nomination for the USATF Athlete of the Year 2024 award following her victorious streak at the Paris Games 2024.
At the French capital, the American hurdler and sprinter clinched two gold medals in the women's 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay events. She recorded a staggering time of 50.37 seconds in the 400m hurdles to surpass her previous world record, defeating fellow teammate Anna Cockrell and her fiercest competitor Femke Bol, who posted 51.87 and 52.15 seconds, respectively.
The award will be presented at the 2024 Night of Legends on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Joining Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in the nomination list are other Paris Olympics gold medalists Valarie Allman, Tara Davis-Woodhall, Masai Russell, and Gabby Thomas.
