In a display of dominance and elegance, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once again etched her name into athletics history, not just with her breathtaking performance on the track but with a crown atop her head as she stood on the podium. Sydney wasn’t the only champion to mark her victory with such regal flair—she was joined by fellow trailblazing women who celebrated their triumphs by donning tiaras, turning the stadium into their kingdom. Their crowning moments weren’t just symbolic; they were statements of perseverance, power, and grace.
Among those sharing the spotlight was British middle-distance star Keely Hodgkinson, whose journey to Olympic gold in the women’s 800 meters at Paris 2024 is a story of resilience and relentless determination. At just 19 years old, Hodgkinson took the world by storm at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, claiming a silver medal with a blistering British record of 1:55.88, breaking a national mark that had stood since 1995. Her consistent podium finishes continued at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, where she earned silver medals with times of 1:56.38 and 1:56.34 respectively. Despite her consistency, the elusive gold remained just out of reach—until now.
In Paris, Hodgkinson finally seized her moment. With a tactically brilliant race and a closing kick that left no doubt, she stormed to victory in 1:56.72 to claim Olympic gold. It was a culmination of years of dedication, heartbreak, and unrelenting focus. And when the medal was placed around her neck, she crowned herself—literally—with a sparkling golden tiara, parading around the track to a roaring crowd that knew they had just witnessed greatness. The crown was more than a fashion statement; it was a symbol of her rise from prodigy to champion.
Another athlete who added a regal touch to her Olympic moment was British heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson. Her career has been marked by potential and promise, but also injuries and setbacks that kept her from achieving Olympic glory—until Paris 2024. In a nail-biting heptathlon competition, Johnson-Thompson delivered a personal best of 2:04.90 in the 800 meters, the final and most grueling event of the seven-discipline challenge. Though her effort brought her just 36 points short of Belgium’s Nafissatou Thiam, who won with 6,880 points, Johnson-Thompson’s total of 6,844 was enough to secure the silver—her first Olympic medal.
Her celebration was heartfelt and joyful. Draped in the Union Jack, she smiled through tears and placed a silver tiara on her head, reveling in a long-awaited triumph that felt just as sweet as gold. It was a crowning achievement that underscored her strength and perseverance.
From McLaughlin-Levrone’s dominance in the hurdles to Hodgkinson’s steady rise to middle-distance supremacy, and Johnson-Thompson’s emotional comeback, these women have not only claimed medals—they’ve claimed their thrones. With crowns atop their heads, they reminded the world that queens don’t just rule from castles—they reign on the track.