Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: You always have to show respect for your opponents

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has opened up about her rivalry with Dutch star Femke Bol, offering an honest look at their competition and the evolution of the women’s 400m hurdles.

Both athletes delivered exceptional performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone securing two gold medals and Femke Bol winning a full complement of gold, silver and bronze.

In an interview with the World Athletics website after being named Women’s Athlete of the Year, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone expressed her admiration for Femke Boland stressed the need for respect among competitors.

“I think every athlete is focused on themselves, to be honest, because you still have to jump those 10 hurdles. Obviously Femke Bol is a great athlete and there are so many women in our discipline who are getting faster and faster. So you always have to show respect for your opponents because you never know what someone is going to produce on any given day”, said Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

That sentiment underscores the camaraderie and mutual respect between Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol, even as their rivalry pushes the sport into uncharted territory.

The 25-year-old American track and field athlete considers this transformation a privilege to witness and contribute to, seeing it as a shared achievement among competitors rather than a solitary pursuit.

“Reflecting on the progress in the discipline, she added: “But like I said, you’re up against yourself. And you have to be ready to be at your highest level when you step on the track because our event is going to heights that I don’t think any of us ever imagined, which is incredible because we’re all just pushing each other to be the best. And I’m really happy to be a part of that transition”, added she.