Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has highlighted how a pivotal shift in her race strategy played a key role in her securing Olympic gold.
The American hurdler, now celebrated as one of the sport’s all-time greats, discussed how her approach to the 400m hurdles evolved, leading her to dominate on the grandest stage—the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Initially, McLaughlin-Levrone had made her Olympic debut at the age of 17 during the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she finished fifth in the semifinals. However, four years later, she returned with a new mindset and a refined race strategy.
Reflecting on her tactical shift in an interview with Olympics.com, she noted how her focus changed from merely competing against other athletes to competing against the clock itself.
“Running from the front is definitely a different feeling than running from behind,” McLaughlin-Levrone shared. “It can be very exciting or very scary, depending on how you want to view it. But it just takes a lot of focus and intentionality.”
Being in the lead required McLaughlin-Levrone to reach a new level of concentration, as she no longer had competitors to chase but was now contending with the clock. By the time she reached Tokyo, she had transformed that pressure into exceptional performance.
“Everyone is now chasing after you and you are chasing after the clock,” she added. “When you’re in that mindset, it’s really just about focusing on what you’re there to execute, what you need to focus on—your race and your lane—because there is nobody to feed off of at that point.”
This mental shift proved to be a game-changer, allowing her to seize her first Olympic gold in Tokyo while breaking the world record.
Since then, McLaughlin-Levrone has continued to excel in the women’s 400m hurdles, consistently resetting her world record six times and claiming four Olympic gold medals across the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games.
She also credits her success to the support of her husband, Andre Levrone, her coach, Bobby Kersee, and her dedicated team.
“I stand on the line as one person, but it truly is an army behind me,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “Whether it be Bobby training me to get to that point, my trainer Malachi helping me as well, or Andre encouraging me and supporting me, it’s a team effort. And those relationships make winning, losing that much more enjoyable.”
McLaughlin-Levrone’s rise has been extraordinary—from a teenage contender in Rio to a two-time Olympic champion in both the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay at the Paris 2024 Games. Her drive for excellence, paired with the support from her team, has elevated her to unprecedented heights.
With her collection of four Olympic golds, four World Championship medals, and multiple Diamond League wins, McLaughlin-Levrone has inspired athletes across the globe.
