Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone shared how her unyielding ambition helped her break six world records in the 400m hurdles, the latest at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The American competed in the 400m flat this year, demonstrating her excellence in that event as well.
McLaughlin-Levrone has been breaking world records since the 2020 Tokyo Olympic trials, when she first lowered Dalilah Muhammad’s record time in 51.90s.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Reveals Real Reason Behind Her Unmatched Success on the Track
McLaughlin-Levrone has been a driving force on the track since her high school days, recording world-best times in her age group and also breaking high school records. She competed at the University of Kentucky for a year, where she set the junior 400m world record and also smashed the collegiate record in the hurdles.
The 26-year-old continued her momentum at the global level, winning every Diamond League race she competed in during 2019. After breaking the world record for the first time at the Olympic Trials, she lowered her own mark at the Tokyo Games, then twice again in 2022 and twice in the Olympic year in 2024. In doing so, she emerged as an epitome of pushing boundaries, not only in her signature event but also across other disciplines, such as the short sprints.
In an interview with Forbes, the sprinter was asked what motivates her to keep going. In response, she revealed that her goal has always been to push boundaries and pursue higher goals every day. She said:
“Just the pursuit of excellence. I think I love the idea of improving, and until somebody runs 0.01, there’s always something you can do better, you know, and I love trying to find those little things. Pushing the bounds of what’s possible has always just fascinated me. I love seeing people in their prime of whatever their profession is, pursuing excellence. And so for me, there’s always something I can do better.”
She then emphasized that she likes to fine-tune her speed, starts, or finishes, anything that gives her the desired edge.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Shares What She Would Advise Her Younger Self
McLaughlin-Levrone, who broke the US record with her 400m performance at the 2025 World Championships, made her Olympic debut in 2016, walking home without a medal but earning an experience of competing at the highest level. However, she was intimidated for the most part, kept to herself, and only focused on winning.
In an interview with Forbes, the four-time Olympic gold medalist said she would advise her younger self to soak up everything, so that looking back on those moments would remind her of her goals.
The five-time World gold medalist won the World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year in 2025, alongside Mondo Duplantis on the men’s side.
