Sydney McLaughlin is an American hurdler, sprinter, and Olympic gold medalist who competed for the University of Kentucky for one year before turning professional in 2018.
She holds the current world record in the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 51.46 seconds set at the Tokyo Olympics final on August 4, 2021.
She became the first woman to beat 52 seconds in a competition when she set a world record of 51.90 at the 2020 US Olympic trials.
Who is Sidney McLaughlin?
Sidney McLaughlin was born on August 7, 1999, in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Raised in Dunellen, New Jersey, she is a classmate at Scotch Plains Union Catholic Regional High School in 2017 and has achieved academically.
McLaughlin started racing at a young age, followed by his brother Taylor and older sister Morgan.
Meet Sydney McLaughlin’s parents
Sydney McLaughlin is the daughter of Willie McLaughlin, a 1984 Olympic 400m semi-finalist. He underwent a heart transplant in February 2021.
His mother, Mary Neumeister McLaughlin, jogged to school.
His younger brother, Ryan, came after his older brothers as a track and field star in the Catholic Union.
Sydney McLaughlin Facts
Sydney McLaughlin finished second to Shamier Little in the 400 m hurdles at the 2014 U-20 Junior National Championships. Her time of 55.63 was a national record for high school freshmen and a world record for 14-year-olds.
He could have represented the United States at the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships, but he was too young to be eligible.
That summer, McLaughlin also ran in the world’s best age group (13.34) in the 100-meter hurdles over 2 ft 6 in (76.2 cm).
After the bidding war, he received an estimated annual base salary of $1.5 million from New Balance.