“The biggest difference this year is my faith” - When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opened up on breaking Dalilah Muhammed's 400mH WR for first time 

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone came out all guns blazing in the 2021 season, breaking the world record in the 400m hurdles for the first time at the U.S. Olympic Trials. The American hurdler later claimed the biggest difference between her previous seasons and 2021 was her faith in God.

McLaughlin-Levrone turned professional in 2018 but ran her first race as a New Balance athlete in 2019. The 25-year-old was part of two World Record races in her rookie season, finishing 2nd behind Dalilah Muhammed at the U.S. Championships and the World Championships respectively.

The New Jersey native had faced Muhhamed eight times before the 2021 Olympic Trials, losing six times to the 2016 Olympic champion. However, she not only triumphed over the defending Olympic champion at the trials but also broke the world record, running 51.90s to become the first woman to break the 52-second barrier.

Speaking about her victory following the race, McLaughlin-Levrone pointed out her closer relationship with faith as the biggest factor behind her win over Muhammed.

"Dalilah is a great competitor but I think I was growing into my own person and I think the biggest difference this year is my faith, trusting God and trusting that process and knowing that he's in control of everything and as long as I put the hard work in, he's gonna carry me through and I really cannot do anything more but give the glory to him," Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone said [2:00 0nwards]

The four-time Olympic champion would break the world record again at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, clocking 51.46s to beat Muhammed for the gold medal, who finished second despite clocking a lifetime best of 51.58s. Earlier in 2020, she had been baptized, marking the start of her journey of getting closer to God.

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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone unbeaten in 400m hurdles following first world record run in 2021

World Athletics Awards 2024 - Sydney McLughlin-Levrone wins Female Track Athlete of The Year ( Source: Getty)

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone hasn't lost a single 400m hurdles race since breaking the world record in the distance for the first time at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. She has competed in 19 races since and won each of them comfortably barring the 2021 Tokyo Olympics final, which was a close affair.

The 25-year-old broke the world record twice again in 2022, lowering it to 50.68s at the 2022 World Championships for the maiden 400m hurdles title. She skipped the event entirely in the 2023 season before returning in 2024 to break the record twice again.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone clocked 50.37s to set the 400m hurdles world record for the sixth time at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She also won a gold medal in the 4x400m relay after registering the third-fastest split in history at 47.71s.