Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the undisputed queen of the 400m hurdles and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, is taking a bold step in her athletic journey. Known for rewriting records and redefining the limits of what’s possible in the long hurdles, Sydney has decided to mix things up—trading her signature event for a new challenge. At the upcoming Grand Slam Track stop in Philadelphia, she’ll be lining up for the 100m hurdles, marking her professional debut in the event.
For most athletes, venturing outside of their specialty at this level would raise eyebrows. But for Sydney, it’s about growth, evolution, and pushing past personal boundaries. Speaking after the Miami leg of the Grand Slam Track series, she explained the shift in direction. “Switch it up, yeah, test myself, work on some hurdle technique, work on some sprint speed,” she said. With a calm confidence, she added, “As of right now, I think we might go to the short hurdles.” It’s clear that Sydney sees the shorter event as a strategic tool—a way to sharpen her sprint mechanics and polish her technique ahead of more significant competitions.
But this decision is about more than just athletic fine-tuning. For Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the 100m hurdles carries a deeper emotional resonance. In her candid 2024 memoir, Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith, she recounts a powerful moment tied to this very event. Back in April 2022, just days before marrying former NFL player Andre Levrone Jr., Sydney was set to run the 100m hurdles at the Penn Relays. What was meant to be a lighthearted outing turned out to be much more emotionally charged. Her heart was full, her mind occupied with the gravity of the life transition ahead. That race, short though it was, became symbolic—a metaphor for the hurdles she was navigating in her personal life.
Returning to the 100m hurdles now isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a revisiting of that emotional space, a way of honoring how far she’s come since that pivotal weekend. Competing in the event again brings a full-circle moment, blending the physical challenge of the race with the emotional depth of past experiences. It’s about rediscovery, not just of her form, but of her inner fire.
As she prepares for the showdown in Philadelphia, all eyes will be on Sydney—not just to see how she performs in the 100m hurdles, but to witness another chapter in the making of a legend. Her willingness to step outside her comfort zone, to revisit a race that carries personal meaning, and to continue evolving as both an athlete and a person is exactly what sets her apart. Whether or not she dominates the short hurdles as she has the 400m, one thing is certain: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is running her race, both on the track and in life—with purpose, courage, and grace.