Retirement Talks!: : Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, past Women’s Health cover star, and New Balance athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone just made history again. Last week, at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, she became the first woman in nearly 40 years to run the 400 meter in under 48 seconds. She now holds the second fastest time ever for the distance. After All These Victories, She Opens Up About Retirement Plans.

Retirement Talks!: : Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, past Women’s Health cover star, and New Balance athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone just made history again. Last week, at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, she became the first woman in nearly 40 years to run the 400 meter in under 48 seconds. She now holds the second fastest time ever for the distance.

 

 

Tokyo — Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, past Women’s Health cover star, and New Balance athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has done it again — and perhaps for the final time. In a stunning performance at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last week, McLaughlin-Levrone shattered expectations and etched her name into history books once more, becoming the first woman in nearly 40 years to run the 400 meters in under 48 seconds.

Her jaw-dropping time of 47.98 seconds not only earned her a gold medal but placed her second on the all-time list for the 400-meter distance — just behind the legendary Marita Koch’s world record of 47.60 seconds set in 1985. The moment was both triumphant and emotional, not just for the record, but for what came next.

After crossing the finish line and taking her well-deserved victory lap, McLaughlin-Levrone addressed the media in a post-race press conference where she unexpectedly hinted at retirement.

> “To be honest, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what comes next,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “I’ve had such an incredible journey — from my first Olympics as a teenager to now breaking barriers I once thought were impossible. This might be the perfect note to end on.”

Her comments have sparked a wave of speculation and reflection in the athletics world. At just 26 years old, Sydney is already considered one of the greatest hurdlers and sprinters in the history of track and field. Her dominance in the 400m hurdles, her seamless transition to the flat 400m, and her unmatched grace under pressure have made her a fan favorite and a trailblazer.

In her career, McLaughlin-Levrone has claimed four Olympic gold medals, multiple World Championship titles, and shattered numerous world records. She’s been at the forefront of redefining what’s possible in women’s sprinting. But now, after achieving yet another once-in-a-generation feat, she’s considering stepping away — on her own terms.

> “I’m not saying this is goodbye today,” she clarified, “but it is something I’m praying on and talking through with my team and my family. I believe in finishing strong, and if this is the finish line for me, I want to walk away proud.”

Reactions from across the sports world have been swift. Fellow athletes, fans, and commentators have expressed admiration for not only her athletic achievements but also her grace, humility, and candidness about the emotional toll of elite competition.

“Whatever Sydney decides, she’s already immortal,” tweeted Olympic legend Allyson Felix. “She’s changed the game forever.”

Off the track, McLaughlin-Levrone has been just as impactful — using her platform to advocate for mental health, faith, and body positivity. Her presence in fashion and fitness media, including her cover feature in Women’s Health, has helped redefine what strength and femininity look like in sport.

For now, fans wait with bated breath to see if this historic moment marks the end of her record-breaking career. Whether she chooses to retire or continue, one thing is certain: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has already run her way into legend.