Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Faces Tough Road to Top US Honor Despite Sha’Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas’ Absence

For nearly a decade, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has turned gold and silver into her signature. But no one expected her to dominate the 400m like she did at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships, blazing to a 47.78 finish, a championship record and the second-fastest time ever, just 0.18 off Marita Koch’s 1985 world record. Now, she’s among the nominees for USATF Athlete of the Year, but despite Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas out of contention, McLaughlin-Levrone’s path to the crown is anything but guaranteed.

The USATF has officially unveiled the nominees for the 2025 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Athlete of the Year award, featuring a stacked lineup: Anna Hall, Katie Moon, Mellissa Jefferson-Wodden, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Tara Davis-Woodhall, and Valarie Allman. Interestingly, the las