The lighting of the torch. The five unmistakable rings. The events. The anticipation. These are just a few things that come to mind when we think about the Olympic games. But have you ever wondered what the athletes who compete think about in the days and moments leading up to their events?
Olympic track star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has been open about her journey from fear and anxiety to finding her courage in the Lord. Here are a few facts about Sydney:
- She comes from a family of runners. Her father was a semi-finalist in the 400 meters in the 1984 Olympics, and her mother ran track in high school. Her three siblings are runners as well; her older brother also qualified for the 2016 Olympic team.
- At just sixteen years old, she qualified for the 2016 Olympics, becoming the youngest member of the US Olympic track and field team in nearly forty years.
- Anxiety almost kept her from taking her place on the starting blocks. When she saw the size of the crowd and the women she was competing against, she almost didn’t run the race that qualified her for the 2016 games.
- In 2021, she set a world record, completing the 400-meter hurdles in 51.90 seconds, and becoming the first woman in history to finish the event in under 52 seconds.
Faith over Fear
How do you deal with fear and anxiety? For Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, calling out to God and asking for His help was what gave her the strength to find her courage, win or lose. When she accepted that perfection is impossible in this world, she was able to change her perspective from being perfect to doing her best and giving God the glory.
In fact, she wears a necklace that says, “All 4 God,” and uses it to remind herself that she isn’t running for her own fame, but for God’s.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is an example of what it means to live for God, “for such a time as this.” As the Olympic games draw near and she prepares to give her all for the glory of God, we can be inspired by her example.
We have access to the same God who gives Sydney her confidence, and He will give us courage to live for His glory too.
“My main identity is that I’m a daughter of God. I belong to him.” —Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
Want to Learn More?
You can learn more about Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in her book, Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith.
