Most of the time, winning on the track is up to the athlete: no votes, no requests, just execution. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone knows that well. At the Prefontaine Classic, she proved it again, clocking a season-best 49.43 to win the 400m. But ahead of her next race at the Ed Murphey Classic, the Olympic star is facing a different kind of contest! One where the outcome isn’t in her hands. For once, she’s asking for help from all her fans…

“The ESPYS! Wow. Blessed and thankful for this nomination!! Make sure to cast your votes before the poll closes! 🫶🏽🤍🥹 thank you guys for all the love and support.” Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone revealed she is nominated to take home the biggest award. The voting request was to her 1.5 million Instagram followers, as even the competition there is fierce. Along with her, Gabby Thomas, Simone Biles, and A’ja Wilson are in contention to bag the award as the winner is revealed on July 16th.

All four women have earned the nomination with consistency and record-breaking wins under their belts. Talking about wins, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone had quite a say about her recent win. She was somewhat not pleased with her efforts at the Prefontaine Classic. Despite her season-best time, “It wasn’t my best work, but just happy to be here and happy to get another race under my belt,” admitted the 25-year-old. The New Jersey native was very honest with the assessment of her performance and explained where she lacked.

“Yeah, definitely the first 200. Just being able to go out fearlessly, knowing that my fitness can bring me home.” The reigning Olympic champion’s win was never in doubt. But the competition came from Aaliyah Butler’s 49.86, who came in second, and Isabella Whittaker, who came third in 50.81. With the world at her feet, McLaughlin-Levrone recently also revealed a change in her approach that was needed in her life.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s honest confession on successes

At the 2024 Paris Games, the 25-year-old set a 50.68-second world record. With 7 years running professionally, she has had her ups and downs, and on the Ready Set Go podcast with Justin Gatlin, McLaughlin revealed the change in her thinking process. Once she used to crave attention from everyone, but now enjoys her time away from the limelight.

“I wanted all the attention, all the fame, all the money, all the things. I wanted all of it.” Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone used social media and curated the perfect posts to soak in validation. “I was feeding off of that; that was my source of life,” she confessed. But then the reality hit. “Whether it’s social media, track and field, money, relationships—those things will never satisfy you, and they’re always changing.”

This was during the time when the world was at a standstill. During the COVID pandemic, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone found time to reset and reconnect. “To have things like track and field or relationships or status be my source was… stealing the glory from God.” Her Christian faith helped her with a new purpose and a new mindset. The 25-year-old realized the comments and social media validation were never the end goal.