Track and field stars Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas have been nominated for Best Athlete, Women’s Sports at the 2025 ESPYS Awards.
The two Americans are joined by an elite group that also includes gymnastics icon Simone Biles and WNBA standout A’ja Wilson. All four nominees have delivered defining performances over the past year, setting new standards in their respective sports.
For McLaughlin-Levrone, her 2025 season has been a showcase of both dominance and versatility. The reigning Olympic and world champion has seamlessly shifted between her hallmark event the 400m hurdles and the flat 400m.
She opened her campaign with commanding back-to-back victories in both events at the first two stops of the Grand Slam Track series. She began in Kingston, Jamaica, and followed by a standout performance in Miami. In Florida, she clocked a world-leading 49.69 seconds in the 400m. That was her fastest flat time since expanding her range.
She also ran 52.76 in the 400m hurdles earlier this year. She reaffirmed her grip on an event where she already owns the world record of 50.37 seconds.
Meanwhile, Gabby Thomas, the 2024 Olympic champion in the 200m has delivered a campaign just as compelling. After opening her season with a strong showing at the Texas Relays, Thomas exploded onto the Grand Slam Track circuit. In Miami, she scorched the curve and stormed home in 21.95 seconds, breaking the meet record.
With their nominations, both McLaughlin-Levrone and Thomas are being celebrated not only for their medal-winning performances but for the consistency and excellence they’ve shown throughout the season. The 2025 ESPYS will be held on July 16 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
