Olympic Champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to Miss 2026 Season Due to Pregnancy

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Announces Pregnancy

According to Главком: American track and field star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone revealed on January 22, 2026, that she is expecting a child and will consequently sit out the 2026 season. The four-time Olympic gold medalist and current world record holder in the women's 400-meter hurdles also shared that her husband is former NFL player Andre Levrone Jr. This announcement comes as a significant moment in the career of one of track and field's most dominant athletes.

Notably, the 2026 calendar does not feature a Summer Olympic Games or an outdoor World Championships, though the World Athletics Ultimate Championships are scheduled for Budapest. Last year, at the World Championships in Tokyo, McLaughlin-Levrone won gold in the 400 meters with a time of 47.78 seconds, the second-fastest time in history for women. The world record, set by Marita Koch, remains 0.18 seconds faster.

Beatrice Chebet Also Expecting

In related news, Kenyan distance runner Beatrice Chebet, a two-time Olympic champion, will also miss the 2026 season due to pregnancy, as confirmed by her agent. Chebet is 25 years old. The simultaneous announcements from these two elite athletes highlight a personal milestone that will impact the competitive landscape.

The pregnancies of both athletes are poised to significantly alter their careers, necessitating a break from competition for the upcoming season. The absence of major global championships in 2026 may ease this transition, as they will not have to miss pivotal events. However, returning to peak athletic form after childbirth often presents a unique set of physical and psychological challenges for elite competitors.