The American track and field star, who dominated on her way to winning the gold medal and a world record in the women’s 400m hurdles on Thursday, said the secret to her success was her Christian faith. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the United States quickly took the lead and cruised to victory in the final stretch to become the first woman to win the 400 meters at the Olympic Games twice. She also won gold in Tokyo.
McLaughlin-Levrone set a new world record of 50.37 seconds, beating her previous record of 50.65 seconds set at the U.S. Olympic Trials this summer. It was the sixth time she has broken the world record in her signature event, the 400-meter hurdles. She also set a world record when she won gold at the 2021 Summer Olympics, which were postponed due to the pandemic.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone breaks the world record to give the USA back-to-back gold medals in the women’s 400m hurdles! 🥇#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/TH92PUeBWf
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2024
When asked by NBC’s Mike Tirico why she always performs at her best on the biggest stages, McLaughlin-Levrone pointed to her faith.
“Honestly, I think my faith is the biggest factor – trusting the Lord and believing in the plan he has for me,” she said. “There’s no guarantee things will always work out, but I give all the honor and glory to the Lord every time I step on the track and I’m amazed at what he’s done in my life.”
McLaughlin Levron spoke about her faith and life in her recent book. Beyond Gold: From Fear to Faith.
Her coach told her to treat the race as practice and to “focus on the 10 hurdles, not on what’s happening to the left or right.”
“I really just wanted to run. He told me, ‘Run as if I was standing in the middle of the field timing myself running 200 meters,’ so I did, and I felt the pattern. It felt like all the practice I’d done all season came together today.”
“It’s a little scary” not seeing anyone to your left or right as you round the last corner, she said.
“You never know how close someone is,” she said, “and it’s a huge stadium with a lot of fans, so you never know if someone’s right behind you and cheering you on or if it’s something else, but it makes you want to go faster. Just run across the line and finish the race strong, and that’s all you can do.”
It was her third gold medal, having also won in the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay in Tokyo.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the queen of 400m hurdles, breaking her personal best! 👑🤌 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/VQd47ayrLo
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2024
McLoughlin-Levrone is scheduled to run one more race this weekend as part of the 4×400-meter relay team.
“Hopefully, I’ll try to add to my medal tally again.”
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Julian Finney/staff
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
