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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone        

USA Track & Field Athlete & Olympic Gold Medalist; Author, "Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith"

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, an American hurdler and sprinter, has made significant strides in establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of athletics. She earned gold medals in both the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics and the 2022 World Athletics Championships for her exceptional performance in the 400-meter hurdles. Moreover, her prowess in the same event led her to set a world record time of 50.37 seconds at the 2024 Summer Olympics, making her the first track athlete to break four world records in the same event.

In addition to her individual achievements, McLaughlin-Levrone has also demonstrated the power of teamwork through her participation in the women's 4 × 400 meters relay team, which has won gold in international competitions. Her high school years were equally marked with notable successes, such as setting new records in the New Balance national outdoor high school championships and the Swedish medley relay as part of Union Catholic's team. Beyond her athletic prowess, McLaughlin-Levrone's dedication and commitment to her sport have been recognized by various institutions, resulting in her being named the Gatorade National Girls Athlete of the Year in 2016 and the World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year in 2022.

After turning professional, McLaughlin-Levrone signed a sponsorship deal with New Balance and started training under the guidance of coach Bob Kersee. Her career continued to flourish as she became the first woman to break the 51-second barrier in the 400 m hurdles and broke her own world record multiple times in the same event. Beyond the track, she has also shared her journey in her autobiographical book "Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith," providing an intimate look into the life of a world-record-holding athlete.

Speech Topics

Finding Purpose Through Faith

Sydney McLaughlin’s faith is a foundational aspect of everything she does and how she defines herself. In this talk, she shares her faith journey, and how God established her steps which helped her achieve the success she's had today. She shares her personal story as a beautiful representation of what is possible with God.

Overcoming Obstacles to Make Your Dreams Come True

Sydney McLaughlin inspires every audience with empowering and inspiring messages on overcoming obstacles, learning and evolving from your mistakes, and staying open to new experiences. McLaughlin helps us see that our dreams are possible with hard work, perseverance and determined pursuit.

News

Sydney McLaughlin on her World-Record 400m Hurdles run
Late last night, former Kentucky track star Sydney McLaughlin not only punched her ticket to the Tokyo Olympics, she became the first woman to EVER run the 400-meter hurdles in under 52 seconds. McLaughlin’s time of 51.90 seconds shattered the previous record of 52.16 seconds, set by defending Olympic and world champion Dalilah Muhammad, who was in an adjacent lane. Muhammad set that record in the 2019 World Championships, beating McLaughlin out by 0.07 seconds. Despite the rivalry, Muhammad was the first to embrace McLaughlin after last night’s stunning performance.
Meet Sydney McLaughlin, 400m Hurdler on the U.S. Olympic Track Team
Sydney McLaughlin was only 17 years old when she made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, becoming the youngest Olympic track and field athlete since 1972. As one of the U.S. Olympic team’s freshest faces, she didn’t make the 400m hurdles final in Rio, but she exceeded expectations. Now at age 21, McLaughlin will arrive in Tokyo with her eyes set on gold.
Sydney McLaughlin's Gold Rush
Five years after Rio, L’OFFICIEL’s July 2021 digital coverstar Sydney McLaughlin is back for another chance at an Olympic medal—this time with a new coach, a global ambassadorship with Tag Heuer, and a new outlook on life. “We had to fly out to Arizona for a month just so we could train consistently on a track because LA was still shut down,” she says to L’OFFICIEL over a Zoom call. “We just had to make the most of what we had, honestly."
Sydney McLaughlin and Team USA earn gold medal in 4x400-meter relay
Kentucky Wildcats track and field alumna Sydney McLaughlin and Team USA won a gold medal Saturday in the 4x400-meter relay in the final day of Olympic track & field competition. Team USA finished with a time of 3:16.85, with McLaughlin running the leadoff leg of the relay. McLaughlin did not run in the 4x400m relay heats due to their proximity to her gold medal-winning performance in the 400m hurdles, but Team USA finished with the fastest time (3:20.86). This is McLaughlin’s second gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after winning the 400m hurdles in world record time (51.46).

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