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How Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Shows Heart On And Off The Track

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By the age of 26, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has achieved more in track and field than most have accomplished in their lifetime. McLaughlin-Levrone broke the 400-meter hurdles world record six times, is the second-fastest woman in history in the 400-meter dash, and holds four Olympic titles and five world titles. She even made her first Olympic team at 16.

As the New Balance sprinter continued to reshape track and field history, she encountered several experiences in her life that tested her strength, resiliency, and open-mindedness. While many would have shied away from the unknown, she fully embraced it and used it to show her fans they can accomplish anything.

Stepping Into Unfamiliar Territory Without Turning Back

With all the accolades McLaughlin-Levrone has in the 400-meter hurdles, she decided it was time to push herself into unfamiliar territory. Although breaking world records and stacking g

old medals is fun, when you’ve done it for so long, you start to wonder what else you can challenge yourself to do.

McLaughlin-Levrone used 2025 as the year to truly put herself under the pressure that many thought she’d never experience due to her generational talent. She decided to focus on winning the world championship gold medal in the 400-meter dash.

The Olympic champion would have to go up against two women who’ve dominated the women’s 400-meter dash for years. Marileidy Paulino had just won the Olympic title in Paris. She also holds two world championship titles and two Olympic silver medals. Along with being fourth on the all-time list before the Tokyo world championships, Paulino was undefeated in 2024.

Salwa Eid Naser was the other formidable talent McLaughlin-Levrone would have to prepare for. Eid Naser won the 2024 Olympic silver medal and was the world champion in 2019. In 2019, her time of 48.14 was the third-fastest of all-time and the fastest 400-meter dash time run by a woman in 34 years.

The competition between Paulino and Eid Naser over the past several years kept track and field fans on the edge of their seats. It often felt like the event belonged to them alone, while others would have to scramble for third place.

Despite knowing the level of difficulty it would take to go up against the Olympic gold and silver medalists, McLaughlin-Levrone fully committed to taking on the challenge.

“There were moments of should we switch, should we go back to the hurdles, did we make the right decision,” said McLaughlin-Levrone. “… I think the semi-finals gave me the confidence to know we were ready.”

For those who’ve followed her journey closely, they know that in 2023, the 400-meter hurdles world record holder wanted to attempt to earn the world title in the 400-meter dash at the Budapest world championships. Unfortunately, after winning USA’s, McLaughlin-Levrone announced she wouldn’t compete at the world championships due to a knee injury.

Deciding to go for the 400-meter gold in 2025 had more stakes than just tough competition. Since McLaughlin-Levrone didn’t compete at the world championships in 2023, she didn’t earn an automatic bye for the 2025 championships. Meaning, if she wanted to make Team USA, she would have to qualify by placing in the top three like everyone else.

“It’s not your title belt, you have to go earn that,” is what Bobby Kersee, McLaughlin-Levrone’s coach told her before the world championships. “You are stepping into an arena you are not the champion in.”

Deciding to bet on herself paid off. She ended her time in Tokyo as the 400-meter dash world champion and the second-fastest woman of all-time, just under two tenths of a second shy of the world record.

Becoming An Advocate For Health And Opening Up About Her Family History

When I spoke with McLaughlin-Levrone and her father, Willie McLaughlin, they were gracious enough to discuss their family medical history.

When her father was 25 years old, he found out he had a genetic heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). According to the CDC website, HCM hardens the heart muscles, reducing blood flow and requiring more oxygen and energy for the heart to operate properly.

This condition can be inherited and can cause sudden death, especially in those who may not know they have the condition. McLaughlin expressed how he had brothers that unfortunately passed away from HCM.

For people like athletes or those who regularly do intense exercise, HCM can put a pause on what they love most.

McLaughlin-Levrone, to her knowledge, doesn’t have HCM but plans on getting screened for it to ensure her future health.

With HCM being the leading cause of death in young athletes, the Olympic champion and her father partnered with Cytokinetics to use their influence to bring awareness to HCM.

Their partnership birthed the platform “On Track With HCM,” which provides insights on how people living with this chronic condition can live a full life and feel encouraged by others facing the same cardiac issues.

“As an athlete when you realize you can’t compete anymore, for some people it’s like the end of the world,” McLaughlin stated. “[but] no, it opens up different doors.”

Whether an athlete or not, McLaughlin-Levrone and her father hope to educate people about the condition and let them know that a diagnosis doesn’t have to stop them from living life to the fullest. Although HCM will call for some lifestyle changes, “On Track With HCM” will provide a support system that can help with the physical and diet adjustments.

“That’s something we talked a lot about in the modules,” said McLaughlin-Levrone. “Wanting people to realize they’re not alone and that these are things that, hopefully, you can feel comfortable talking about.”

McLaughlin-Levrone’s father received his diagnosis almost 40 years ago. Since then, he’s had a heart transplant and uses the support of his family and doctors to continue his healthy living journey. McLaughlin-Levrone and her father hope to be a testament for those who are discouraged and may be struggling with seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Fully Embracing Pregnancy And The Journey That Will Follow After

It’s not a secret that McLaughlin-Levrone’s talents will be missed on the track this year. A month ago, McLaughlin-Levrone and her husband, Andre Levrone, announced that the track and field legend was pregnant via Instagram.

Since there isn’t a traditional World Athletics Outdoor Championships this season, many athletes are considering this an “off-year”. Some competitors are using this as an opportunity to try new events. For example, McLaughlin-Levrone’s biggest competitor in the hurdles and three-time world record holder, Femke Bol, is opting to focus on the 800-meters this season. Even Noah Lyles and Gabby Thomas have talked about using this year to explore potential in other events.

Then there are others using 2026 as a time to rest and take on new journeys before the LA Olympics. For McLaughlin-Levrone, this looks like growing a family. Even world record holder Beatrice Chebet is doing the same.

Pregnancy as a female athlete, especially as a black female athlete, can be nerve-racking. In the past, track and field athletes have faced repercussions for starting families. Allyson Felix is the most prominent example when she was signed with Nike. Additionally, black women in general are more likely to be subjected to pregnancy complications. Serena Williams, despite being one of the greatest athletes of all-time, dealt with this herself.

There’s also no telling how the body will react or how quickly it will bounce back to physical activity once they are ready to compete again.

However, McLaughlin-Levrone has many amazing examples of women she can look up to who have broken the ceiling on what athlete mothers can do.

Just this year, Elle St. Pierre won the New Balance Grand Prix 8 months post-partum. Her winning time was only six seconds off her American record.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is another woman who had a child and dominated once they returned to the track. Most short sprinters don’t have a career past 35, but she had a child and competed on the world stages, racking up medals until 38.

Faith Kipyegon joins the list of women who’ve done superhuman things after pregnancy. Kipyegon is one of the most formidable distance runners, taking over the sport and in history with three Olympic titles and multiple world records.

But whether McLaughlin-Levrone returns to her superhuman form is not a major concern of hers. She expressed that with all she’s done, she’s grateful for everything.

“If track and field isn’t the same for me, I will be so content with the family we’ve been able to create,” McLaughlin-Levrone stated. “And if it’s even better, then I praise God for that too.”

She went on to talk about the excitement she has knowing that she’ll have a little one in the stands watching her and how it will provide an extra level of motivation to continue doing her best.

To achieve all that McLaughlin-Levrone has in life, it takes heart. It takes heart to line up for an event that isn’t hers. It takes heart to practice every day, knowing there could be a possibility of a severe heart condition. It takes heart to be pregnant and take the year off, not knowing what kind of athletic ability she may return to. Through all of this, McLaughlin-Levrone keeps her faith at the front of her life to take on her various new journeys.

The Olympic champion will return to the track in 2027, ready to handle all that will come next.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/katelynhutchison/2026/02/26/how-sydney-mclaughlin-levrone-shows-heart-on-and-off-the-track/