Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone shared how Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards-Ross inspired her Olympic dream in 2008.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, one of the most accomplished athletes in track and field, recently opened up about the pivotal role Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards-Ross played in shaping her Olympic ambitions. In a candid reflection, McLaughlin-Levrone revealed that watching the two sprinting legends at the 2008 Beijing Olympics left a lasting impression on her as a young athlete.

At just 9 years old during those Games, McLaughlin-Levrone found herself captivated by the power, grace, and determination displayed by Felix and Richards-Ross. Their performances not only sparked her admiration but also planted the seeds of her dream to one day compete on the world’s biggest stage.

“Seeing them run with such passion really made me believe that I could do it too,” McLaughlin-Levrone shared. “They showed me what greatness looks like, and I knew from that moment that I wanted to chase that same dream.”

McLaughlin-Levrone went on to turn her childhood dream into reality, becoming an Olympic gold medalist and world record holder. Reflecting on her journey, she credits the inspiration she drew from Felix and Richards-Ross as a key factor that helped her stay motivated through the highs and lows of her career.

Today, McLaughlin-Levrone continues to push the boundaries of her sport, while hoping that her own achievements will inspire the next generation of athletes—just as Felix and Richards-Ross did for her all those yea

rs ago.