Gatlin Praises Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone for Outstanding performance during Olympics

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone solidified her dominance in the women’s 400m hurdles by setting a new world record at the Paris Olympic Games. Her remarkable performance has earned widespread admiration, with former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin expressing his awe at the 25-year-old’s exceptional talent.

In the preliminary rounds of the 400m hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone easily secured a victory, progressing smoothly to the final after winning her semifinal race. In the final, she delivered a stellar performance, breaking her own world record for the sixth time, finishing in 50.37 seconds. Anna Cockrell finished second, trailing significantly with a time of 51.87 seconds, while Femke Bol, who was considered a strong contender, secured third place with a time of 52.15 seconds.

Following her extraordinary achievement in Paris, Gatlin praised McLaughlin-Levrone, highlighting her unique abilities. Speaking on his podcast, “Ready Set Go,” Gatlin said, “Sydney is truly talented, hands down. She has a gift from God, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. She is a warrior. Watching her, it’s clear she didn’t necessarily seek to wear the crown of champion, but her talent is undeniable.”

Gatlin continued, “If we’re talking about Sydney, she’s in a completely different league. I expected the margin of her victory to be closer, especially with someone like Femke Bol in the race. But Sydney left little room for error and still dominated.” The 2004 Olympic 100m champion also lauded her as a role model for other athletes, noting, “Breaking her world record six times is unheard of. Competitors see how she achieves success and try to emulate it. It was amazing to witness.”

In addition to her athletic prowess, McLaughlin-Levrone has also garnered attention for her unwavering faith. Despite concerns about potential backlash or loss of endorsements due to her strong religious beliefs, she remains unshaken. In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), she addressed these concerns, saying, “I’ve heard people say I should tone down the talk about my faith because it might cost me endorsements. But I don’t live for the approval of others. Even if I lose a deal, I trust that God will provide for me in the way He sees fit.”

McLaughlin-Levrone’s faith, which was nurtured in a Christian family, deepened when she met her husband, Andre Levrone. According to Today, Levrone is currently attending seminary school, and the couple regularly participates in Bible study together. Their shared commitment to their faith continues to be a central aspect of their lives.