Reigning queen of the 400m hurdles Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has dazzled audiences with her record-breaking performances, earning four Olympic gold medals and consistently dominating the women’s long hurdles scene.
Yet, as she prepares for the Philadelphia stop of Grand Slam Track, Sydney is embracing a bold new challenge.
“I’m going to put my best foot forward, I’m going to execute well and compete hard. But whatever the result it has no bearing on my peace,” Sydney declared during the press conference.
Sydney’s New 100m Hurdles Quest
For the first time in her professional career, Sydney is shifting from the long 400m hurdles to compete in the short hurdles, the 100m hurdles, and is also eyeing the 100m flat sprint.
This move marks a significant departure from her comfort zone, especially since she hasn’t raced the 100m sprint since her collegiate days at the University of Kentucky.
The Philadelphia track at Franklin Field is poised to witness this new chapter unfold as Sydney pushes herself to become a versatile sprinter and hurdler. To prepare for this transition, she has teamed up with one of the fastest starters on the planet, 2-time Olympian Trayvon Bromell.
Bromell’s Mentorship
Sydney’s preparation for this new venture has been meticulous. She’s tapped into Bromell’s expertise to refine her sprint start and drive phase, critical components in the short sprints and hurdles.
“I’ve watched a lot of his starts, specifically, just trying to understand some of the shin angles,” Sydney revealed in an interview with The New York Times.
From FaceTime calls to detailed block critiques, Bromell has provided Sydney with invaluable insights from a sprinter’s perspective.
The partnership feels natural beyond the track. Bromell is a close friend of Sydney’s husband, former NFL wide receiver Andre Levrone Jr., making their collaboration a fusion of friendship and professional mentorship.
And Bromell himself is coming into 2025 with renewed vigor, having clocked a blistering 9.91 seconds in the 100m this season, a performance that signals he’s back among the world’s elite sprinters. This synergy of talent and experience makes Sydney’s venture into the 100m hurdles all the more promising.
The Challenge Ahead
But success in Philadelphia won’t come easy. Michael Johnson, sprinting legend and founder of Grand Slam Track, emphasized the stakes.
“Sydney just running the hurdles and winning, doesn’t qualify her as the champion She has to then come back in another race,” Johnson said during an interview with WGN News.
“In this case, this weekend, it’ll be the 100 meter dash, the 100 meter flat. And she’s gotta perform well enough there to score enough points to win.”
In other words, Sydney must dominate twice, proving not only that she can win her signature event but also that she can compete fiercely in a completely different sprint discipline.
Why This Matters
For Sydney, this is more than a competition strategy. It’s a transformative step in her career, a test of her speed, adaptability, and resilience. If successful, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won’t just remain the queen of the 400m hurdles; she will emerge as a multi-event powerhouse, a true symbol of athletic versatility.
This pivot comes with risks, but Sydney has never shied away from challenges. Her calm mindset and relentless work ethic make her the perfect athlete to redefine what it means to be a hurdler and sprinter in today’s track and field landscape.
As the eyes of the athletics world turn to Franklin Field.
