Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has fondly recalled witnessing Usain Bolt’s legendary 100m triumph at the 2016 Rio Olympics, an experience that left a lasting impression on her. Competing in her first Olympics at just 17, McLaughlin-Levrone reached the 400m hurdles semifinals but fell short of the finals after finishing fifth in her heat.
Despite the setback, she made the most of her time in Rio by attending various events, including diving and Bolt’s unforgettable 100m final. In her book ‘Far Beyond Gold’, she described the moment as one of the highlights of her Olympic experience:
“We explored the city and attended as many events as we could, including diving and the 100-meter sprint, where Usain Bolt won yet another gold medal. I’ll never forget the energy in the stadium that night: one of the greatest moments in Olympic history. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to be part of it.”
Bolt’s 9.81-second finish in Rio secured his third consecutive Olympic gold in the event, marking his final Olympic appearance before retiring in 2017 with eight gold medals.
Now a four-time Olympic champion, McLaughlin-Levrone also reflected on the contrasting experiences between the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. She highlighted the difference in crowd support, noting how the COVID-19 pandemic limited fan attendance in Tokyo, whereas the Paris Games were filled with roaring spectators.
In Paris, she defended her 400m hurdles title in front of 70,000 fans at Stade de France, calling it her first true Olympic experience. Speaking to ‘Olympics.com’ in August 2024, she shared:
“Oh my goodness, the crowd is amazing; it’s so loud in there. Just having friends and family here, seeing their faces this really feels like the first full Olympic moment for me.”
While the atmosphere differed, both Olympics saw McLaughlin-Levrone claim gold and set world records in the 400m hurdles, solidifying her place in athletics history.
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