Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Real Feelings After First Loss in Post-COVID Race in 2021 Revealed
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the record-setting 400m hurdles champion, has been celebrated for her composure and resilience on the track, but her first loss in a post-COVID race in 2021 exposed a more vulnerable side of the athlete. During a candid interview following the meet, McLaughlin-Levrone opened up about the emotional aftermath of the loss, shedding light on how the unexpected defeat shook her confidence and forced her to re-evaluate her mindset.
The race took place at the Drake Relays in April 2021, marking McLaughlin-Levrone’s return to competition after an extended break due to the pandemic. All eyes were on her as she lined up for the event, given her pre-pandemic dominance and her status as a favorite for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. However, she finished second, behind Shamier Little, in a surprising turn of events that left many spectators stunned. The defeat, though not catastrophic by any means, took a mental toll on McLaughlin-Levrone, who admitted that the outcome made her question her own capabilities.
“After that race, I felt like I let myself down,” McLaughlin-Levrone shared. “It was tough to reconcile all the hard work I’d put in with the result. For the first time in a while, I didn’t feel like I was living up to the expectations I had for myself.” The loss became a defining moment, not because of the result, but because of the self-doubt it triggered. Having been on an upward trajectory for years, Sydney was accustomed to victories, and this hiccup in her post-COVID return made her confront feelings of inadequacy that had been dormant.
One of the biggest challenges, according to McLaughlin-Levrone, was dealing with the public perception of the race. She noted how quickly narratives can shift, with some questioning her preparedness and even her standing as a top contender. “People see a single loss and start drawing conclusions, but they don’t know the whole story,” she remarked. For her, the race was about more than just crossing the finish line—it was about battling the rust of competition, regaining her rhythm, and most importantly, trusting the process again after a long hiatus.
In hindsight, McLaughlin-Levrone acknowledged that the defeat was a necessary wake-up call. “Losing taught me more than winning ever could,” she admitted. It prompted her to take a step back and focus on the fundamentals, to rediscover her motivation and refine her training methods. With her coach and support team, she dug deep into what had gone wrong and how she could emerge stronger from the experience.
The setback ultimately served as fuel for her historic 2021 season. Instead of allowing the loss to define her, Sydney used it as an opportunity to reset her goals and mindset. Just a few months later, at the U.S. Olympic Trials, she stormed back with a world-record performance, becoming the first woman to break the 52-second barrier in the 400m hurdles. It was a triumphant return to form that silenced critics and proved that a single loss couldn’t derail her long-term trajectory.
Reflecting on that post-COVID race, Sydney now sees it as a crucial stepping stone in her career. “I needed that,” she said with newfound clarity. “The loss humbled me and showed me that success isn’t linear. Sometimes you need to hit a bump to remind yourself why you started in the first place.” Her experience serves as an inspiring lesson for other athletes: that even the greatest setbacks can be transformed into powerful comebacks with the right mindset and perseverance.
In the end, what could have been a discouraging moment became the catalyst for one of the most dominant seasons in track and field history. McLaughlin-Levrone’s grace in handling that early loss and her subsequent rise to the top only cemented her legacy further, not just as a world-class athlete, but as a resilient competitor who refuses to let a single defeat define her.
