Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is leveraging her Olympic platform to highlight a hereditary heart condition that nearly claimed her father’s life and eventually required a transplant.

The four-time Olympic champion and world record holder captured gold at both the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2024 Summer Olympics, triumphing in the 400-meter hurdles and the 4×400-meter relay. During several of those career milestones, her father, Willie McLaughlin, was battling hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic disorder that thickens the heart muscle and impairs its ability to pump effectively.

HCM can lead to breathlessness, irregular heart rhythms, elevated blood pressure, and persistent fatigue. Willie explained that he first discovered the condition incidentally during a routine physical examination in his mid-20s. Although symptom-free at 25, he began experiencing complications as he approached his 40s, with the severity gradually intensifying over time.

In 2021, Willie underwent a heart transplant and says the procedure transformed his quality of life.

Now, father and daughter are collaborating on an awareness initiative titled “On Track With HCM.” The campaign centers on educating the public, supporting individuals diagnosed with the disease, and sharing Willie’s journey to encourage others confronting similar health challenges. Additional resources and campaign materials are available through WRGB’s website.