Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone — a four-time Olympic gold medalist and world-record setting 400 m hurdler — often credits her family for her extraordinary athletic foundation and mental resilience.
Parental Support: Gentle yet Unwavering
No Pressure, Just Freedom
Sydney’s parents, Willie and Mary, both former track athletes, encouraged her and her siblings to try various sports—not just track—but never pressured performance. Sydney shared with Women’s Health:
“There was never any pressure…it was just getting us active…being able to play on teams and make friends.”
Father’s Encouraging Coaching Style
In her early years, Sydney’s father was her first coach. Sportskeeda describes his approach as “soft‑spoken, encouraging…he never pushed me” . His coaching mirrored Muhammad Ali’s “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”: focused on simplicity, joy, and speed.
Track as Family Ritual
Sydney confesses that track “was never a fight in my house. It was as much a part of my family as dinner and church” . Her upbringing included shared routines of faith, sport, and togetherness.
Recognizing a Special Talent
Her father spotted something exceptional as early as age six:
“Then we saw Sydney run at 6 years old…we just knew…she is a little different.”
The entire McLaughlin clan—three siblings—all competed in track, but Sydney’s distinct ability stood out early on .
Faith, Family, and Focus
Sydney frequently speaks about relying on family values and faith in her athletic journey. She said, “God’s got you” before races and “Thank you, God” afterward . Her family’s shared Christian faith remains her cornerstone, guiding both her character and her performance .