‘The Best Sport in the World!’ – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Reacts to Completing World Athletics Double

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone capped off one of the greatest seasons in modern athletics by completing a stunning World Athletics double, claiming both the Female Track Athlete of the Year and the overall Female World Athlete of the Year awards.

 The 26-year-old, who has been virtually unbeatable for two years, added yet another historic chapter to her legacy with a season defined by dominance, versatility and barrier-breaking performances.

McLaughlin-Levrone’s campaign reached its peak in Tokyo, where she stormed to the world 400m title in a North American record of 47.78, the second-fastest time ever recorded and the fastest at the World Championships in 42 years. 

The performance made her the first athlete in history to win world titles in both the 400m flat and the 400m hurdles, following her hurdles crown in Oregon in 2022.

Her excellence didn’t stop there. She also anchored the USA’s victorious 4x400m relay team, reinforcing her status as the most complete all-around quarter-miler in the sport today.

After receiving her double crown, a humbled yet proud McLaughlin-Levrone shared her reflections on a season that pushed her to new limits.

“Wow, I’m honestly blown away to win this. Thank you so much, World Athletics, for this honour and recognition,” she said.

“The culmination of the season in Tokyo was a really special moment. I’m so thankful for everyone who supported, watched, voted and who was there throughout this whole process.

“Track and field is, I believe, the best sport in the world. I want to continue to show the world that we are some of the best athletes around. For me, 2025 was a year of stepping outside of the comfort zone and pushing the bounds of what was mentally and physically possible. I want to continue pushing boundaries in 2026.”

Her words capped off a transformative year in which she not only dominated her events but also redefined the limits of the 400m disciplines.

The awards ceremony also celebrated excellence beyond the track, as legendary Australian broadcaster Bruce McAvaney received the prestigious President’s Award for his five-decade contribution to global sports media and his philanthropic work within athletics.

“The recipient of this year’s President’s Award is one of very few people who can say they achieved the dream they had at the age of five,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.

“Bruce has been involved in international sport at the highest level, broadcasting to the widest possible audience over five decades… He is recognised as one of Australia’s greatest sports commentators.”

McAvaney, visibly moved as he accepted the honour in Monaco, reflected on the significance of the moment.

“Athletics has been the central thread of my career and is a sport I hold incredibly close to my heart. To be honoured in this way, and by someone I have such enormous admiration for in Sebastian Coe, is truly one of the highlights of my career.”

He added, “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work across many major events and sports, but nothing compares to athletics at the highest level. The opportunity to call those defining, once-in-a-lifetime moments is what fuels my passion.”

First introduced in 2016, the President’s Award recognises exceptional service to the sport — and in McAvaney, the honour found a fitting recipient on a night that celebrated track and field’s brightest stars.