Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone makes her feelings on rival Femke Bol. PHOTO: Getty Images

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone makes her feelings known on 400m hurdles competitor Femke Bol and their rivalry

Modified Dec 22, 2024 19:33 GMT

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opened up on how she viewed Dutch star Femke Bol as a competitor and shared her thoughts on their rivalry. Both McLaughlin-Levrone and Bol had remarkable outings at the Paris Olympics as the American returned home with two gold medals, while the Dutch sensation collected three medals, one of each color - gold, silver, and bronze.

In an interview with World Athletics, after she received the Women’s Track Athlete of the Year Award, McLaughlin-Levrone opened up about how she regarded Bol as a ‘wonderful’ competitor and also acknowledged the growing competition in the discipline, stating:

“I think every athlete is focused on themselves, to be honest, because you still have to jump over those 10 hurdles. Obviously, Femke is a wonderful competitor and there are so many women in our event that are just getting faster and faster. So, you always have to show respect for your opposition because you never know what anyone is going to produce on any given day.”

She also feels privileged to be part of the transition as the sport is witnessing a development in terms of improved timings and rising competition.

“But like I said, it’s you against you. And you have to be prepared to be at your highest level when you step on the track, because our event is going to heights I don’t think any of us imagined – which is amazing because we are all just pushing one another to be the best. And I am really happy to be a part of this transition,” Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone also commented.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opens up on her approach for every race

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone at Paris Olympics. PHOTO: Getty Images

In a sit-down interview with Olympics.com in August 2024, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was asked whether she knew during the middle of the race that she was on a record-setting pace while racing the women’s 400m hurdles at the Paris Olympics. The 25-year-old responded by sharing her approach to every race, saying:

“You never really know what's going on. It's really just running all the way through the line. I did get a quick glance at the clock, so I was like, ‘Just get over this last hurdle and sprint through the line.”

She further mentioned how she treats every race differently, adding:

“I treat every meet like its own. So, this was my first time in Paris racing for this Olympic gold. I was just treating it like this was my first time here, and trying to go for it the same way.”

McLaughlin-Levrone’s exploits didn’t just limit to her performance in the 400m hurdles as she ran a remarkable pace in the women’s 4x400m relay event, recording a leg of 47.71s to contribute to the USA’s gold medal victory in the discipline and an American record of 3:15.27.