This month, Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone spoke at Ventura County FCA’s Fields of Faith in Moorpark, Calif. Born and raised in New Jersey, Sydney ran at the University of Kentucky. The hurtle and sprint star made waves when she became the youngest athlete since 1980 to qualify for the U.S. Olympic track team at age 16, won gold in both the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, and set four world records from June 2021 to July 2022. But what she’s most proud of is her decision to follow Christ.

FCA: When did your faith become important to you?

Sydney: I grew up going to church, but for me, it was more of a formality. For so long, I was afraid of Him. I knew at some point I wanted to give my life to the Lord, but I wanted to live life my way first.

Around the time of COVID, I finally hit rock bottom and was completely broken. I was in my house searching for answers, peace and healing. I thought there must be more to life than just this and was like, “God, I surrender.” I had been talking with women at my local church, and then I met my husband Andre (former NFL wide receiver Andre Levrone). We did a Bible study together via FaceTime with a group of other athletes, and the foundation of our relationship was faith.

FCA: How did your faith transform your approach to track?

Sydney: I had my priorities confused. For so long, track was my center. That's where I got a lot of my validation and identity. But the reality is, that's not a solid foundation. You're not going to win every race, you're not going to always be the best at whatever you do, so to place your identity in something that is always changing is going to put your value in flux. As Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians, whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God. I want my identity not to be rooted in gold medals or records, which will be broken eventually, but secure in Christ.

FCA: How did you become so outspoken in your faith?

Sydney: Public speaking is not my forte, but I do believe when you hear the Good News and God changes your heart, it's not even so much an obligation as it is a joy and a desire to want to share the truth. I want to use every opportunity I'm given to glorify Him, and to know that when I stand before Him, He will say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’

FCA: You know the struggle with injury. What would you say to someone who is experiencing an injury or some sort of trial?

Sydney: Trials are opportunities for us to show the genuineness of our faith. When I got injured last season, of course it hurt because I love to compete. But at the same time, I really had to look at myself and say, ‘God, what are you trying to teach me through this?’ I got to show my faith in that moment by cheering on my teammates. It was an opportunity to show that Christ is my ultimate joy, not track and field.

FCA: Is there a Bible verse the means a lot to you?

Sydney: I think for this year, especially before Paris, it was Psalm 115:1:

“Not to us, Lord, not to us,
but to your name give glory
because of your faithful love, because of your truth.”

"Christ saved me and it's been the best decision of my life. I haven't looked back."
That was the most people I've ever run in front of, and I knew the whole world would be watching. And my thought was, I want them to see God cross that finish line and give Himself the glory.

FCA: What advice would you give to your younger self and the next generation?

Sydney: First, you don't have the answers and that's okay; you're not supposed to. But there is One who does, and He died for you. Your value is not placed in whether you win or lose a race; your value is fixed in Christ. There is a debt that all of us have to pay. We're born into sin and Christ graciously died for that debt and now you have the opportunity to place your faith in Him.

Second, you don't have to put your value in social media or money or followers because that will not satisfy you, and it won't save you. I wish 16-year-old me could have heard the fullness of the Gospel, leaned into it and seen the joy and freedom that comes in Christ.

Watch Sydney’s full interview here.

-FCA-

Photos courtesy of FCA and Overflow Create Photos