For most athletes, a great season is defined by a handful of standout races — a breakthrough performance here, a recordä-setting run there. But for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, greatness isn’t found in isolated moments. It is something she builds, piece by piece, race by race, season after season. In 2024, she didn’t chase the spotlight. She became it. And now, she stands firmly as a finalist for the World Athletics Female Track Athlete of the Year, a title that feels less like recognition and more like confirmation of what the world has watched unfold.
This year, McLaughlin-Levrone delivered a campaign that can only be described as historic. She captured two World titles, asserting her dominance in both the 400m flat and the 400m hurdles — a pairing that would break lesser athletes but only seemed to fuel her. The double alone would have been enough to place her among the best of the season, but Sydney didn’t stop there. She didn’t just win; she redefined excellence.
Her performance in the 400m was nothing short of breathtaking. Running the second-fastest 400m time in history, she reminded the world that her talent expands far beyond the barriers. The race was a masterclass in control, power, and precision, the kind of effortless-looking dominance that only the most disciplined athletes can deliver. And with it came the American record, another jewel in a crown that keeps growing heavier with each passing year.
On the hurdles side, she continued to push boundaries that once seemed immovable. Sydney shattered two World Championship records, reinforcing the idea that she’s not simply the best of her era — she’s altering the limits of what the event can be. Every step between the barriers reflects her unmatched technical mastery, her unshakable poise, and her willingness to test the very edges of human capability.
Perhaps the most impressive part of her season is this: she finished the year undefeated in both the 400m and the 400m hurdles. That level of consistency — across two grueling, demanding events — is almost unheard of. It speaks to her meticulous preparation, her relentless work ethic, and a mental toughness that sets her apart from even the most elite competitors. Sydney doesn’t simply show up; she shows up ready to deliver something extraordinary.
Even her early-season form made headlines. In February, months before most athletes hit their peak, she ran the fastest 400m hurdles time ever recorded in that month. It was a quiet warning shot to the rest of the world: Sydney was coming, and she wasn’t waiting until summer to demonstrate her command.
All year long, McLaughlin-Levrone didn’t just make history — she made greatness look normal. Every record, every title, every jaw-dropping run added to a legacy that is already one of the most decorated in modern track and field. Her season wasn’t defined by chance. It was defined by intention, mastery, and a level of performance that forced the world to rethink what’s possible.
And that’s why she stands as a finalist for the World Athletics Female Track Athlete of the Year. Not because of one moment, but because she created them, again and again, until the season felt less like a campaign and more like a masterpiece.
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