(LifeSiteNews) — Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone credited her stellar athletic achievements to God following her world record-shattering 2024 Olympics win.
“I credit all that I do to God. He’s given me a gift, He’s given me a drive. I just want to continue to improve upon myself. I have a platform, and I want to use it to glorify Him,” McLaughlin-Levrone said in a press conference following her second consecutive Olympic gold medal win in 400-meter hurdles.
Olympic Gold Medalist Sydney McLaughlin on her relationship with God:
“I credit all that I do to God. Regardless of what happens, He’s going to get the praise. Every time I step on the track I pray “let me be the vessel in which you’re glorified”… That’s why I do what I do.” 🙏 pic.twitter.com/deZRTyWrba
— Anna Lulis (@annamlulis) August 9, 2024
The American track and field champion shared that she prays to God just before she competes: “Let me be the vessel in which You’re glorified,” whether that is through her performance, or simply through the way she “conducts” and carries herself.
“It’s just freedom in knowing that regardless of what happens, He’s going to get the praise through me. And that’s why I do what I do,” she concluded.
McLaughlin-Levrone set a world record time of 50.37 seconds for the women’s 400-meter hurdle on Thursday, August 8 in the Paris Olympics, breaking her previous world record of 50.65 seconds at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She was the first woman to break the 52-second and 51-second barriers in the 400 meter hurdles, establishing herself as an all-time female champion in track and field.
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The 25 year-old attends a non-denominational, evangelical church in Los Angeles, and regularly glorifies God in interviews as well as on social media. After making the cut to compete in the U.S. track and field team for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone wrote in an Instagram post:
I could feel this meet was going to be something special… but MAN. Weeks like these are some of the hardest in a track athlete’s life. The mental strain of preparing for the rounds in order to solidify your spot is heavy enough. But the amount of weight the Lord took off my shoulders, is the reason I could run so freely yesterday.”
My faith was being tested all week. From bad practices, to 3 false start delays, to a meet delay. I just kept hearing God say, “Just focus on me”. It was the best race plan I could have ever assembled. I no longer run for self recognition, but to reflect His perfect will that is already set in stone. I don’t deserve anything. But by grace, through faith, Jesus has given me everything. Records come and go. The glory of God is eternal. Thank you Father.