"The mind behind the crown"-Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reveals the story behind viral tiara she wore at Paris Olympics 2024

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has revealed that the viral crown she wore at the Paris Olympics 2024 was given by her husband's sister. The American hurdler had a highly successful campaign at the Olympic Games and secured two gold medals to her name.

McLaughlin-Levrone is regarded as the greatest 400m hurdler of all time, having lowered the world record by more than two seconds in last three years. The Olympic medalist first broke Dalilah Muhammed’s 52.16s mark at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, and three years later, she clocked 52.37s for her second Olympic title in Paris.

The 25-year-old dominated Round 1 and semifinal of the 400m hurdles and easily advanced to the final. Waiting for her in the final was Femke Bol, the second-fastest woman over the distance. Although the head-to-head battle didn't turn out to be exciting, McLaughlin-Levrone was at her best, smashing her one-month-old world record in 50.37s.

It marked Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s second Olympic title in the 400m hurdles, and she was spotted wearing a tiara. Her pictures wearing the crown went viral over the internet, leading to a reporter asking her about the decision.

McLaughlin-Levrone claimed that it was given to her by her sister-in-law, who had promised it months ago to her.

“My sister-in-law gave me this. She told me months ago that she was going to bring it. After the race, she would give it to me, so I’m sporting this for her," she told the reporter with a smile via NBC.

She also shared a picture of hugging her sister-in-law, and credited her for the crown.

"The mind behind the crown", she wrote.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reveals the mind behind her viral crown (via her Instagram handle)

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“I was hoping it was a little faster “- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on running a new world record of 50.37s

Athletics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 15-(Source: Getty)

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's dominance in the 400m hurdles can be witnessed by the gap between her and the other athletes on the finish line. There was nearly a gap of 1.5s between her and silver medalist Anna Cockrell at the Paris Olympics, but the gold medalist felt that her time of 50.37s was slower.

"I crossed the line, I was grateful for that time. I was hoping it was a little faster. I’m sure there are some things in the middle there we can clean up. Walking away from this, I'm happy, I'm encouraged, and there's always more work to do,” she said (via TIME).

Following the Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone is expected to take a long break. She could be back in action from September.