The Olympic Games have come to a close for Sydney McLaughlin, an extraordinary young talent who made history as the youngest American track and field athlete to compete at the Olympics in decades. At just 17 years old, McLaughlin showcased remarkable composure and talent by earning a spot on Team USA and advancing all the way to the semifinals of the 400-meter hurdles at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.
Though her Olympic performance did not end in a medal, McLaughlin’s achievement is still monumental. Competing while battling a cold and perhaps feeling the weight of such an immense stage, she placed fifth in her semifinal heat, clocking in at 56.22 seconds. While the result may have been disappointing for someone with such high standards, McLaughlin approached the experience with impressive maturity and perspective.
“I didn’t run the race I wanted to,” she admitted in an interview with NJ Advance Media. “But now I know what it’s like to be here and go through this kind of thing and have the pressures of sleeping in a dorm room and seeing your competition in the food halls.” For most teenagers, just qualifying for the Olympics would be the highlight of their young athletic careers. But for McLaughlin, it was more than that—it was a stepping stone, a chance to learn and grow under the brightest lights in sports. “It’s just practice and getting ready for the future. This wasn’t my time,” she added. “It just showed that this is not the time for me. Just being here is amazing for me.”
Her words reflect not only maturity but also a level of determination and insight uncommon for someone her age. McLaughlin understands that this Olympic experience, though not ending in a podium finish, has laid the groundwork for a promising future in track and field. With Tokyo 2020 on the horizon, it’s likely that she will be back on the Olympic stage, stronger and more experienced.
But before she can fully focus on her Olympic dreams, there’s a more immediate challenge ahead—finishing high school. McLaughlin, who had just celebrated her 17th birthday the previous week, is set to return to Union Catholic High School in New Jersey for her senior year. The contrast between the global spotlight of the Olympics and the routine of high school life is stark, but McLaughlin seems ready to make the transition.
“I go back to school in September,” she said with a smile. “I still have two books to read. I don’t even know what the books are. I should. I guess I will have to make it up.” Like many high school students facing summer reading assignments, McLaughlin will likely spend some time on her flight home catching up on homework—though not many can say they were delayed because they were representing their country at the Olympics.
As she returns to the classroom, McLaughlin carries with her an unforgettable story and the kind of experience that very few teenagers can claim. Her Olympic debut may not have ended in victory, but it marked the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable journey in athletics—and life.