WATCH: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone delivers speech after her induction into University of Kentucky's Athletics Hall of Fame

By Soumik Bhattacharya

Modified Sep 21, 2024 14:35 GMT

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was recently inducted into her alma mater, the University of Kentucky's Hall of Fame on Saturday (September 21). This comes just a few days after she concluded her 2024 track and field season in Brussels.

The US 400m hurdler also received a special badge of honor from the University for her immaculate achievements on the track across her career. McLaughlin-Levrone attended the University of Kentucky for just one year (2018) before becoming a professional track and field athlete.

Following her honoring ceremony, McLaughlin-Levrone went to the stage for her Hall of Fame speech. During the speech, the 25-year-old thanked various members of the University of Kentucky and also shared her experiences at the University.

Speaking about her time at the institution she said:

"There were significant moments of growth, of joy that could never be replaced. There were people, many of which are sitting in this room that were more than I could explain in terms of friendship," she said (at 0:40).

The 25-year-old further added:

"My year here was hard, I'm not going to act like it wasn't as it is for many college athletes all over the country but I wouldn't change it for the world honestly. I would not be the woman I am if I had not attended the UK (University of Kentucky)," she added (1:07).

Here is the video:

During her time with the Kentucky Wildcats (the University's track and field side), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone shattered the junior 400m hurdles record at the 2018 NCAA Division I Indoor Championship.s

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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone sheds light on her non-participation at the European meets this season

McLaughlin-Levrone during the Women's 4x400m relay event at the 2024 Paris Olympics (Image via Getty)

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone recently opened up about the reasons behind not competing at the European track and field meet in this 2024 season. The New Jersey native didn't participate in any of the Diamond League meets, owing to which she was not allowed to participate in the main roster events of the 2024 Diamond League finals.

Following this, the American hurdler opened up about the reasons for her non-participation in any of the Diamond League meets this season during an interview with the organizers of the Wanda Diamond League. She said (via InsideTheGames):

"I have to be at my best at the American trials to even be allowed to go to the Olympic Games. So running meetings in Europe in between is not easy, transcontinental travel is quite tiring," she said.

During the interview, McLaughlin-Levrone also added that she is looking to take part in the World Athletics Championships scheduled next year in Tokyo.