"I missed too many training days, my lack of discipline showed" - When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone recalled her struggles during 1st year as pro athlete

Modified Nov 04, 2024 16:46 GMT

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once stated that her work ethic and discipline were lacking during her earlier days as a professional athlete. The American is currently the 400m hurdles world record holder, clocking 50.37 seconds in the discipline at the Paris Olympics.

McLaughlin-Levrone made her Olympic debut at the 2016 edition of the sporting event in Rio, where she was eliminated in the semifinals. Two years later, the American turned professional.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once wrote a column for spiritual magazine Guideposts and mentioned about her shortcomings during her first year as a professional athlete. The 25-year-old stated that she missed too many training sessions and lacked discipline, while also having trouble clearing hurdles.

"I moved to Los Angeles in the fall of 2018 to begin my professional career. The 400-meter hurdles are one of the most grueling events in track. No other event requires such a combination of technique, endurance and speed. My first year as a pro, I missed too many training days. My lack of discipline showed. I had trouble clearing the hurdles. Dalilah, the reigning Olympic champion, demolished me, and the world record, at Nationals," McLaughlin-Levrone said.

The American, however, overcame her shortcomings and has become one of the greatest hurdlers of all time.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has eight medals across Olympics and World Championships

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone after the 200m invitational race at the Brussels Diamond League (Image Source: Getty)

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has had an illustrious professional career so far, winning four Olympic golds. The American won the 400m hurdles and helped her nation's 4x400m relay team win the event at the Tokyo Olympics.

She had another memorable outing at the Paris Olympics as she broke her own 400m hurdles world record to win the gold medal. Like in Tokyo, McLaughlin-Levrone also helped the United States 4x400m relay team to gold in the event, ahead of Netherlands and Great Britain.

The 25-year-old's clocked 47.71 seconds in the final, which was the fastest leg among all athletes.

In addition to her Olympic exploits, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone also won four medals at the World Championships. In 2019, she was a part of the team that won the 4x400m relay while winning the bronze medal in the 400m hurdles. Three years later, she won two golds at the 2022 edition of the tournament in Eugene.

Most recently she ran in two invitational races at the Diamond League final in Brussels, winning them both.