When you hear the name Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, it’s hard not to envision a track and field superstar brimming with confidence. However, even the brightest stars sometimes face moments of self-doubt and challenges that shape their careers. While McLaughlin-Levrone stands as one of the most decorated Olympians in the United States, her journey at the 2016 Rio Olympics marked a crucial learning point in her meteoric rise.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone clinched two gold medals, victories she successfully defended at the Paris Games last month. Yet, as she candidly reveals, her confidence hasn’t always matched her athletic prowess.
In her recently released book Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith, McLaughlin-Levrone reflects on her disappointing 17th-place finish in Rio, a moment that could have derailed her career. “Maybe I had the physical gifts to reach the finals or possibly even win a medal in Rio, but I was not mentally prepared to do what it was going to take,” she admits in the book. Despite her struggles, McLaughlin-Levrone recognized that she had already achieved something many athletes only dream of — an Olympic berth.
“Despite the setbacks, I had to acknowledge that my family, coaches, and I were still living the dream of attending the Olympics. We had to make some time to enjoy it,” she writes, reflecting on the importance of appreciating the moment despite her disappointment. She also shares how spending time with her high school coaches helped her cope with the semifinal loss. “Spending time with my high school coaches truly made me feel less bad about my actions in the semifinal,” McLaughlin-Levrone notes, reminding herself of the journey from high school to the grandest stage in sports.
However, even amid the positive moments, lingering self-reflection remained. “The thought looming in the back of my mind was that I had some growing up to do,” confesses the now four-time Olympic gold medalist. This ability to confront her shortcomings and grow from them ultimately transformed McLaughlin-Levrone into the phenom she is today.
From a heartbreaking experience in Rio to standing atop the Olympic podium twice more, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s journey is a testament to resilience, learning, and never giving up on one’s dreams.
