U.S. Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin made history after she broke her own world record in the 400-meter hurdles last Friday at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
According to CBN News, McLaughlin completed the hurdle on Friday with a time of 50.68 seconds, shattering her previous record of 51.41, which she set last month. This also marks the fourth time in 13 months that the 22-year-old athlete set a new 400-meter hurdles world record.
“I’ll have to start off by saying all the glory to God,” she told NBC Sports after the race. “These past few days getting ready for this race, Hebrews 4:16 has been on my mind – coming boldly to His throne to receive mercy and grace. And I think He really gave me the strength to do it today, so all the glory goes to God.”
“Coming into this race, I just wanted to go out there and attack the whole thing. Bobby [Kersee] (her coach) and I have been training for this all year, and we wanted to go execute,” McLaughlin continued. “The last 100 hurt really bad, but I’m really grateful for it, and I’m grateful for that time and bringing a medal home to Team USA.”
McLaughlin shared that she believes that she could have completed the race in a faster time.
“Honestly, we thought we’d be able to go a little bit faster,” she told NBC Sports. “But we’re super grateful with that time; anything under 51 was a win for us. We just know that there’s more to push, and there’s more to be able to be taken off of that. So I’m honestly super grateful for today.”
She also shared that she could possibly switch events in the future.
“Anything’s possible,” she said.
McLaughlin, an outspoken Christian, has touted her faith on social media and throughout her career, including in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she won gold in the women’s 400-meter hurdles.
After winning the gold, she contended that it’s all about “just trusting the process and giving the glory to God.”
This May, McLaughlin married former NFL player Andre Levrone Jr. in a Christ-centered ceremony.
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Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Steph Chambers/Staff
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.