'I have other aspirations in life' - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ponders future beyond 2028 Olympics

‘I have other aspirations in life’ – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ponders future beyond 2028 Olympics

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will still only be 28 at the 2028 Olympic Games, but has hinted at possibly quiting to focus on her ‘other aspirations’

American hurdling icon Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who has etched her name into the annals of track and field with record-breaking achievements, recently hinted that the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics might mark her swansong.

While she’s open to competing in her home country in four years, she remains uncertain if she will extend her career beyond the landmark event.

At just 24, McLaughlin-Levrone has already achieved an astonishing series of accolades. With gold medals from the 2020 and 2024 Olympics and a World Championship title from 2022.

She has pushed the boundaries of athletic excellence in the 400-meter hurdles.

Her latest milestone came at the 2024 Summer Olympics, where she set a breathtaking new world record of 50.37 seconds, shattering her previous mark of 50.65.

Known for breaking four world records in the 400-meter hurdles within a span of just 13 months, McLaughlin-Levrone became the first woman to smash the 52-second (June 2021) and 51-second (July 2022) barriers in the event.

In addition to her individual medals, she has also clinched gold in the 4×400-meter relay at each major competition she attended.

Known for her outspoken Christian faith, McLaughlin-Levrone has openly shared her conviction, once declaring she wouldn’t compromise her beliefs even if it risked brand endorsements.

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She said, “I would love to make it to LA. It just makes sense. We are almost there. It’s kind of crazy, and this is also year five of being a pro, which is crazy when you say it out loud.”

Looking toward 2028, she revealed aspirations of potentially transitioning to focus exclusively on the 400 meters, though she remains unsure of the timing

“I still have time and, God willing, health,” she said. “I love the sport, but it is what I do and not who I am. I want to do it well, the best I can, for as long as I can. When we decide to make the shift, we will make the shift. But I have other aspirations in life.”

Alongside her hurdles dominance, McLaughlin-Levrone has also expressed her desire to improve in the 200 meters, setting a personal best of 22.07 seconds and eyeing the possibility of a sub-22-second run.