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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once opened about her unconventional way of training for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She shared that she had nowhere to train as the track at UCLA, where she previously trained, was rarely available.
She added how she and her coach Bobby Kersee had to look for a place to train with the COVID-19 cases rising. At times, she had to drive for more than an hour from her apartment to the nearest available track. Since it was difficult for them to use the track, Kersee would then sneak her onto tracks, once even bringing pliers and cutting a hole in a fence for them to get inside, as mentioned by the American hurdler.
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In her memoir Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith released in January 2024, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reflected on these preparations and hardships they underwent. She added:
“At times, I drove more than an hour from my apartment to the nearest available track. During particularly bad surges of the virus, it seemed that every track in Los Angeles was closed. During one particularly frustrating day when we couldn’t find anywhere to train, Bobby brought pliers and cut a hole in a fence so we could sneak onto a track..It was insane.”
“When looking for a track became too much of a hassle, Bobby took me out to the median—yes, a sliver of grass, dirt, and pavement—in the middle of San Vicente Boulevard, one of the busiest streets in Los Angeles. I know we looked absurd.”
She further highlighted the ‘absurd’ contrast by comparing her elite status with the unconventional training conditions she faced during the pandemic.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s training paid off as she went on to collect the gold medal in the 400m hurdles, breaking her own world record with a 51.46s run, at the Tokyo Olympics. She then played a integral role in the USA’s women’s 4x400m relay gold-medal win.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reflects on her life plans following retirement from track
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone shared her thoughts about her life after retirement. In a March 2025 released interview with Michael Johnson (Upfront Ventures), the hurdler expressed a deep desire to become a mother and start a family with her husband, Andre Levrone. Additionally, she also showed interest in giving back to teenage girls, stating (18:45 onwards):
“Obviously, I would love to be a mom. I would love to raise a family with my husband, who's studying to be a pastor. I would love to be involved in the lives of young girls. I think that the teenage years were a very rough time for me - even around the time of Rio and going to the Olympics.”
The four-time Olympic champion added that although she doesn't have a fixed plan yet, she is open to coaching, mentorship, or contributing in any meaningful way to impact others. She hopes to make the most of the gifts she’s been given and share her experiences with those who need them.
