She has done what no woman has done before.
On Thursday, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made history by becoming the first woman to win two Olympic gold medals in the women’s 400-meter hurdles. The 25-year-old American athlete clinched the gold in Paris with a time of 50.37 seconds, outpacing fellow American Anna Cockrell, who secured silver with a time of 51.87 seconds, and Femke Bol of the Netherlands, who took bronze with 52.15 seconds. McLaughlin-Levrone, who has not lost a 400-meter hurdles race since 2019, demonstrated her dominance as she extended her lead in the final stretch.
At a press conference following her victory, McLaughlin-Levrone attributed her success to her faith. “I give all the glory to God. He has gifted me with this talent and a strong drive to continuously better myself,” she said. “I use my platform to honor Him, and whenever I compete, my prayer is always that I might be a vessel for His glory, regardless of the outcome or how I perform.”
The following day, McLaughlin-Levrone appeared on NBC’s “Today” show, reflecting on her experience. “It feels surreal. You’re just focused on running through the finish line and not always aware of how close others might be with the crowd cheering so loudly,” she explained. She noted the significance of the large crowd and the competitive field, which she believed contributed to the fast pace of the race.
After her win, McLaughlin-Levrone shared an emotional moment with her husband, Andre Levrone, and other family members in the stands. “Having them there makes the moment even more meaningful,” she said. “Their support and sacrifices have been crucial to my success, making these celebrations even more special.”
Andre Levrone, a former college football player, joined his wife on the “Today” show and expressed his immense pride in her achievements. “I’m incredibly proud and overwhelmed with emotion,” he said. “Her dedication, work ethic, and faith have truly driven her success. Seeing her confidence and trust in God before the race was beautiful.”
Earlier this year, McLaughlin-Levrone set a world record at the U.S. Trials and shared with NBC Sports that “with Christ, anything is possible.” Her time of 50.65 seconds in the Trials was surpassed by her Olympic performance.
In a December 2023 interview with The Christian Post, McLaughlin-Levrone spoke about her faith. She emphasized that her belief in Christ provides a sense of purpose beyond her athletic career. “Sharing the Gospel is what truly matters,” she said. “I’ve learned that true fulfillment comes from recognizing my need for God and living a life that reflects His grace.”
She also acknowledged the importance of striving for excellence despite the impossibility of perfection. “While perfection is unattainable, we should always aim to excel and conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of God’s calling,” McLaughlin-Levrone concluded. “Glorifying Him through my career has shown me a purpose greater than myself.”