The Scoop

USA’s Sydney McLaughlin Gives ‘Glory To God’ In Stunning Win, Breaks Own World Record For Gold

By • August 5, 2021 2:16 pm

Another American Olympic medalist has shown patriotism after winning a gold for the country — beaming with pride to represent the United States in the Tokyo games.

Hurdler Sydney McLaughlin, 21, surprised the world this week when she edged out teammate Dalilah Muhammad and even broke her own world record to win gold for the US in the 400-meter hurdles.

Muhammad, nonetheless, took home the silver for the US.

McLaughlin said she gives all the “glory to God” and expressed her gratitude for the privilege of representing her country. 

“Just trusting the process, giving the glory to God,” McLaughlin told NBC after the race. 

She also noted the “hard work and dedication” she put into the Olympics.

“I’m just really grateful to represent my country and to have had this opportunity,” the athlete from New Jersey added.

She was also able to watch a clip of her previous Catholic high school celebrating her win.

“It’s amazing,” McLaughlin said of her former Catholic high school cheering her victory. “Oh my gosh, I can see my high school coach, my principal. It’s just an awesome opportunity to be able to represent them all back home.”

According to ESPN, McLaughlin surpassed Muhammad’s 400-meter hurdles mark during the Olympic trials. Then, this week, she smashed her own record by over half a second to win gold with a time of 51.46 seconds.

McLaughlin won by 0.12 seconds over Muhammad, the reigning champion.

Earlier, McLaughlin also praised God after her record-breaking trial performance.

“The face of a woman who is in awe of God,” she posted to Instagram, then adding her record-time 51.90 seconds in the caption.

“I could feel this meet was going to be something special … but MAN,” she said in her post. “Weeks like these are some of the hardest in a track athlete’s life. The mental strain of preparing for the rounds in order to solidify your spot is heavy enough. But the amount of weight the Lord took off my shoulders, is the reason I could run so freely yesterday. My faith was being tested all week. From bad practices, to 3 false start delays, to a meet delay. I just kept hearing God say, ‘Just focus on me.’ 

McLaughlin added: “It was the best race plan I could have ever assembled. I no longer run for self recognition, but to reflect His perfect will that is already set in stone. I don’t deserve anything. But by grace, through faith, Jesus has given me everything. Records come and go. The glory of God is eternal. Thank you Father.”

“Congrats to everyone who made the team, as well as my awesome competitors!! Let’s go represent the USA the best way we know how!” the athlete further said.

The New York Times has reported that McLaughlin was a teenager when she competed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she fell short of advancing to the final. 

Meanwhile, the publication noted that Muhammad, who bagged silver, was “dealing with injuries and illness during the pandemic” —  but still managed to join the Tokyo Olympics, finishing second at trials and also securing a silver for the United States.

Also this week, American wrestler Tamyra Mensah-Stock, who made history by winning gold in the women’s 68-kilogram freestyle final, becoming the second woman to do it for Team USA in wrestling — and the first black woman from the US to win a wrestling gold — also praised her family, team, her country, the American flag and God following her victory.

“It feels amazing,” Mensah-Stock commented on representing her country. “I love representing the US,” she added, as she raised her hands up in the shape of a heart, with the American flag draped around her shoulders.

“I freaking love living there, I love it, and I’m so happy I get to represent U-S-A,” she said.

Unlike Mensah-Stock and  McLaughlin, some progressive US Olympians have been more concerned with protesting against the US at the Tokyo Olympics.

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Steeve Strange

Steeve is the CEO & Co-Founder of The Scoop.
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