‘Track and Field Not Everything For Me!’ - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Makes Shocking Retirement Revelation

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has revealed when she will retire from track and field amid plans to get into ministry and potentially even start a church.

Four-time Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has opened up about her future in the sport — and her words suggest that the end of her illustrious track and field career may be closer than many expected.

Speaking candidly about her journey on Justin Gatlin’s Ready Set Go podcast, McLaughlin-Levrone revealed that while the sport has given her nearly two decades of memories and milestones, she no longer sees it as the entirety of her identity or future.

“I started running when I was six years old, so it’s been almost 20 years now,” she said. “Professionally, this is year seven. It’s been good so far. We’ve accomplished quite a bit, but I do feel like track and field is not everything for me.”

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

Her reflections come at a pivotal point in her career, where she is  looking both at what she has achieved and what lies ahead. While there is no fixed timeline for retirement, McLaughlin-Levrone acknowledged a growing sense of peace with the idea of eventually stepping away.

A New Perspective on the Final Stretch

“I’m going to continue to strive and work until the day I hang up my spikes, but there is an end point,” she noted. “I don’t think I’m one of those athletes where someone will have to say, ‘It’s time.’ I think I’ll know for myself.”

The Olympic and world champion emphasized her desire to savor what remains of her time on the track. While the early years of her career were marked by relentless pursuit of excellence, she now wants to be more present.

“I want to enjoy these moments while I have them. The beginning of my career was so fulfilling — we accomplished some great things. But as I look toward the future, I know I won’t be doing this for another ten years.”

We Could Plant a Church One Day

Part of that future includes life beyond the track. McLaughlin-Levrone is married to Andre Levrone Jr., a former NFL wide receiver turned minister, and together they are preparing for a new chapter that may include ministry and family.

“My husband is in ministry, and we’re hoping to plant a church one day. I want to start a family, I want to be a mom, and have a life outside of track and field,” she said.

That broader perspective is shaping her approach to the remaining years of her competitive career. She’s focused not just on medals or records, but on appreciating the journey — something that hasn’t always been easy in the high-stakes world of elite athletics.

“I want to make sure I truly appreciate it now, rather than getting to the end and realizing I was so focused on all these things that I didn’t stop to smell the roses,” she said.

Whether she runs for one, two, or several more years, McLaughlin-Levrone’s words mark a shift — from the pursuit of perfection to the pursuit of purpose. And for an athlete who has already conquered the sport’s highest peaks, that next chapter may be just as impactful.