Olympian Sydney McLaughlin Falls in Love With Running Again: ‘Thankful for God’s Grace’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has learned to fall in love with running again.
In an Instagram post, the athlete shared a series of photos from a recent track meet, smiling ear to ear.
“Learning to fall back in love with the sport I’ve grown up in. It has its ups and downs with injuries, shortcomings, and everything in between,” she captioned the post.
“Still, it’s the most joyful experience to feel the freedom of running. To get to do what you love everyday is a gift, and to have an opportunity to share Gods message through that makes the journey have true meaning. Grateful for progress, and thankful for Gods grace,” McLaughlin-Levrone concluded.
The Olympian often shares her faith on social media.
In another post from late April, she discussed how God truly is enough.
“He has experienced our pains. Our losses, our betrayals, our hardships, and our sufferings,” McLaughlin-Levrone began.
“Having lived all these troubles and more, Jesus understands. He has grace for us, having stood against the same trials and more.”
She continued: “Yet it doesn’t stop with all of the negative qualities of life. Though He can empathize with us on our grief, the beauty of His life is that faith replaces it with joy. He offers peace, healing, comfort, and hope. No matter the struggle, or the fight.”
“He is truly kind. Beyond loving, and abundantly faithful. Submitting to Him is not a chore but a joy, for there’s no better remedy for the aches and pains of life. ❤️ He is enough,” she ended.
McLaughlin-Levrone included Hebrews 4:14-16, which reads:
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
The athlete is planning to return to the Olympics this summer. She’ll compete in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, racing the 400m hurdles.
“McLaughlin-Levrone is the world-record holder in the 400m hurdles and has the second-fastest open 400m in history: 48.74,” FloTrack reported.
Movieguide® recently reported on McLaughlin-Levrone’s faith:
“When I was young, even all the way up through high school, there was that joy there [in sprinting]. But I think once you get to the college level, the professional level, it becomes sponsors looking at you, possibly wanting to sign you, how you’re paying your bills once you become a professional, signing bonuses, appearance fees and prize money. And so I think there’s definitely more opportunity as you get older to lose a little bit of that love for it,” McLaughlin-Levrone told the “Jesus Calling” podcast.
“I had a few years where I didn’t love it as much, and it became kind of a burden for sure, but I can say now that I truly do love it, and I still feel that joy and freedom when I step on the track,” she continued.
“I think now I can show up to the track every day and understand that this is a gift He’s given me that win, lose, or draw, it’s an opportunity to glorify Him, and my value is already secure in Christ,” she added. “So there’s no fear of not being enough and that everything that I need is found in Him.”
