The Notable Life of Sydney McLaughlin

Profile by Camila Torres

She set a world record time of 50.37 seconds at the 2024 Summer Olympics; became the first track athlete to break four world records in the same event; and won the silver medal at the 2019 World Championships; what has Sydney McLaughlin not done? Sydney McLaughlin was born on August 7, 1999, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Following in her parents’ and siblings’ footsteps, McLaughlin started running from a very

early age. Everyone around her immediately recognized her talent and potential for a bright future in track. She attended Union Catholic Regional High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, where, on top of being academically gifted, she left a lasting legacy with the notable records she set as a high school athlete. 

In 2014, at the National Junior Championships, Sydney McLaughlin placed second in

the 400-meter hurdles with a rapid time of 55.63 seconds. She later went on to beat this time, running 55.28 seconds at the National Youth Trials. At the United States of America Track and Field (USATF) Junior Championship, McLaughlin successfully ran in 54.54 seconds and was named the Gatorade National Girls Athlete of the Year. At the young age of sixteen, McLaughlin placed third in the US Olympic Trials and became the youngest American track and field athlete to qualify for the Olympic Games since 1980. 

After high school, she attended the University of Kentucky to run on their notable track and field team. In 2018, only about a year later, McLaughlin went professional and

signed a deal with New Balance. Since then, she has continued to make remarkable achievements that have paved the way for future women in track and field. In the 2019 World Championships, she won silver in the 400 meter hurdles and gold in the 4x400 meter relay. In the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, McLaughlin secured gold in the 400m hurdles, setting a world record of 51.46 seconds. She later went on to break her own world record with a time of 50.68 seconds. Recently, in the 2024 Paris Olympics, she went on to beat her own record yet again, setting a new one of 50.37 seconds.

Sydney McLaughlin has not only proven to be one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time, but has also inspired the next generation of female runners. Her dedication and perseverance has clearly paid off with her record-breaking performances. As she continues to rewrite history, the world eagerly awaits to see what she will accomplish next.

All Photos Courtesy of Getty Images

Edited by: Daphne Tsarnas '26, Kavya Chacko '26, Catherine Polatidis '26, & Ms. Brillant

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