When Canadian rising star and NCAA champion Savannah Sutherland reflects on her journey in track and field, one name stands out as both an inspiration and a benchmark: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. For Sutherland, who has made waves on the collegiate circuit with her speed, determination, and technical prowess, McLaughlin-Levrone is more than just a world record holder—she is the athlete who has reshaped the way the 400-meter hurdles is perceived and contested on the global stage.
Sutherland recently shared her thoughts on the reigning Olympic and World champion, noting that Sydney has turned the 400-meter hurdles from a grueling endurance event into something that resembles a pure sprint. Traditionally, the event has been described as a hybrid race—demanding the speed of a sprinter, the rhythm of a hurdler, and the endurance of a mid-distance runner. But Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s dominance has shifted the narrative. By attacking each hurdle with precision and maintaining blistering pace from start to finish, she has effectively set new expectations for what is possible in the event.
“She’s really transformed it,” Sutherland acknowledged in a recent interview. “Sydney made the 400 hurdles feel like a sprint race rather than just a test of endurance. Watching her race, you see how fast, efficient, and fearless she is—it’s something that motivates all of us who are coming up in the sport.”
The impact of McLaughlin-Levrone goes far beyond just lowering the clock. In 2021, she shattered the 400m hurdles world record at the U.S. Olympic Trials, running an astonishing 51.90 seconds, becoming the first woman in history to break the 52-second barrier. Just weeks later, at the Tokyo Olympics, she lowered her own mark again, and then in 2022, she pushed the boundaries even further with a jaw-dropping 50.68 at the World Championships in Eugene. Those times not only established her as the best the sport has ever seen but also redefined what the rest of the world now considers possible.
For athletes like Sutherland, this shift is both daunting and energizing. On one hand, the bar has been raised to almost unimaginable heights. On the other, McLaughlin-Levrone’s performances have proven that limits are meant to be broken. “The times we’re seeing today are because of her,” Sutherland explained. “She’s paved the way. She’s shown us that the event doesn’t have to be limited by the old standards. It can be attacked in a completely new way.”
That kind of influence extends beyond records and medals. For many young hurdlers, Sydney has become the embodiment of professionalism, consistency, and vision. She carries herself with grace under pressure, and that resonates with up-and-coming athletes like Sutherland, who aspire not only to run fast but also to make an impact on the sport.
As Sutherland continues to build her own career, her admiration for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone serves as both a source of inspiration and a challenge. The Canadian champion knows that the path has been illuminated by Sydney’s brilliance, but it’s now up to her and others in the next generation to continue pushing the limits.
“She’s someone I’ve always looked up to,” Sutherland said. “And seeing what she’s done makes me believe that there’s always another level we can reach.”
For Savannah Sutherland, the message is clear: the 400 hurdles is no longer just a battle against fatigue—it’s a sprint, and thanks to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the race has been forever transformed.