Most American teenagers can only dream of making it to the Olympics. After all, the USA Olympic Trials that currently span over 10 days, is one of the most rigorous competitions to overcome just to qualify for the Olympics. The immense pressure and little margin for error can unnerve the most seasoned athletes. Natural talent is just not enough to make the team; drive, determination and mental toughness are necessary to beat the odds. Sixteen-year-old Sydney McLaughlin beats those odds.
Sydney, a junior at Union Catholic High School in New Jersey, became the youngest American to qualify for the Olympic team since Cindy Gilbert (15 years and 75 days) did so back in 1972. Sydney finished 3rd in the 400m hurdles at the USA Trials, setting the world junior record in a personal best time of 54.15 seconds to book her ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics. This was a remarkable feat by the teenager, who was completing against collegians and professionals.
Life Changing Performance
Sydney's Olympic qualifying performance was life-changing as she met and hanged out with her idol, Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix, who informed her that she was award the 2016 Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year award. After her historic performance at the USA Trials on July 10, two days later on July 12, 2016, Sydney was walking the red carpet at the ESPY in Los Angeles, California. She collected her national award and gave an emotional acceptance speech in-front of some of today’s best sports figures, including NBA champions LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
In her acceptance speech, Sydney revealed that she suffered from mono earlier in the season which delayed the start of her season. Sydney had overcome this illness to book her ticket to the Rio Olympics which made her meteoric rise even more impressive. The 400m hurdles race is considered one of the most grueling events that requires a combination of speed, strength and endurance. Sydney possesses all of these attributes.
Sydney has become somewhat of a media darling. In addition to her athletics prowess on the track, Sydney shows maturity well beyond her years with her poise and eloquence in addressing the media. Sydney, who turns 17 on August 7, two days after Rio opening ceremony on August 5, also seems poised to handle the pressure of the Olympics.
Super Siblings
Sydney comes from a very athletic family. While Sydney will be heading to Brazil to compete in the Olympics, her older brother Taylor is currently in Poland representing the United States at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships. Taylor, who has just completed his freshman year at the University of Michigan, was the 2015 New Jersey Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Taylor also attended Union Catholic High and was a dominant athlete on the New Jersey high school circuit. He will be competing in the 400m hurdles.
Having gained a spot on the US Team to the Rio Olympics, Sydney is already a champion. She has endured the rigors of the high school season, dominated her peers at the high school nationals and then shocked the world at the USA Trials. Sydney who was named after her father’s favorite actor, Sidney Poitier, is about to take the stage for her greatest performance to date. All that’s left for Sydney to do is to cap her fairytale season with an Olympic medal. For Sydney the best is yet to come.
Written by O’Neil A. Reid and edited by Raymond Byfield
The above Sydney McLaughlin picture was taken by O'Neil A. Reid at the 2015 Shore Athletic Club award ceremony in New Jersey. The guest of honor was Joetta Clark-Diggs
Comments
Leave a Comment