OLYMPIC RECORD BREAKER: “GOD TOLD HER ‘JUST FOCUS ON ME’
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OLYMPIC RECORD BREAKER: “GOD TOLD HER ‘JUST FOCUS ON ME’
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American hurdler and sprinter Sydney McLaughlin gave glory to God after setting a new world record in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, saying her faith helped lead her to victory.
McLaughlin, 21, set her goal on qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics as she competed in the U.S. Olympic Track and Field 400-Meter Hurdles Trials in Eugene, Oregon, on Sunday. Not only did she make it on the team for the Tokyo Olympics, but she also set a world record with a time of 51.90 seconds, becoming the first woman ever to complete the hurdles in less than 52 seconds.
“All the glory to God,” McLaughlin told NBC Sports after her victory.
“Honestly, this season, just working with my new coach and my new support system, it’s truly just faith and trusting the process. I couldn’t ask for anything more and truly it is all a gift from God,” she declared. The trial was her fourth 400-meter hurdles in the season, and she said that “having that child-like faith and trusting that everything is going to work out” is what helped her get through.
McLaughlin managed to beat the reigning U.S. Olympic and world champion, Dalilah Muhammad, who set the record in 2019 at the 400m hurdles at 52.16 seconds. This year, however, Muhammad finished second, which also qualified her for the Olympic team. The two women will go head to head for the gold in Tokyo.
“Dalilah’s a great competitor,” McLaughlin said in another post-race interview.
Although McLaughlin was asked if she ever felt frustrated trailing behind Muhammad in the past, the young athlete said her faith made all the difference in this race.
“I think I was growing into my own person. And I think the biggest difference this year is my faith, trusting God and trusting that process, and knowing that He’s in control of everything. As long as I put the hard work in, He’s going to carry me through. And I really cannot do anything more but give the glory to Him at this point.”
McLaughlin is very outspoken about her Christian faith on social media.
In an Instagram post from February, McLaughlin boldly testified that she chose to place her future in God’s hands.
“We can laugh at whatever lies ahead because we know HE has already won,” McLaughlin wrote. “We can sleep easier at night knowing HE has a plan for whatever may normally trouble us. We can laugh at anything that doesn’t fit the purpose for our lives, because we know God’s plan is greater.”
Following her victory on Sunday, McLaughlin likewise took to Instagram, this time sharing a photo of herself at the finish line with her hand over her mouth. . . .
She added: “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.’ 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.”
This victory marks the second time McLaughlin will represent the U.S. at the Olympics. She also competed at the 2016 Rio Games when she was 17, but did not make it past the semifinals. McLaughlin will now be in the first round of the women’s 400m hurdle competition at the Tokyo Games starting July 31.
What an amazing thing to see such a talented athlete give glory to God! How did this article encourage you? Let us know your thoughts and prayers for the Olympic team in the comments below!
(Excerpt from The Christian Post. Article written by Jeannie Ortega Law. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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All glory to God. Lord thank You because You are Worthy to be praised. Thank you Sydney for not being afraid of giving glory to God who is worthy of it. May He bless you mightily. Amen
Praising God for Sydney’s faith, courage and boldness to publicly give God the glory for her victory. Praying that it will be just one of many more to come and that God continues to use her mightily.
Praise the Lord for Sydney’s faith & her willingness to give all glory to God! She is God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works the Lord has planned & prepared for her to walk in. Ephesians 2:10 May the Lord bless her as she competes in the Tokyo Olympics!
A strong, fearless, beautiful and talented sister in Christ giving glory to God for who she is and what she’s been able to do–nothing is finer. THIS is what our country needs to hear. Thank You and praise God!!!
This is SO encouraging! Praying her impact will be like that of Eric Liddell, who represented the Lord so well by rejecting the invitation to prove he was the fastest man alive because one of the heats was on a Sunday: “That’s a day to honor the Lord, not myself.” That’s a quote from my one-man play about him, so I’m not 100% sure he was actually quoted as saying it that way. I started writing the play over 20 years ago. It tells the story of what happened after Liddell shifted gears and broke the world record in the 400m, the story told in Chariots of Fire. Liddell continued to run in China against world-class athletes, while teaching and coaching track. You can watch my performance of the play at the Singapore Expo here: http://www.RichDrama.com/BtC
Praise God! Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (New Living Translation Bible)
May God use this young woman to be a shining light to her team mates and to the world. All the best in Tokyo 2021. And may God continue to Bless America.
As a track lover myself this is a double blessing. Thank you Sydney, hope you clip another second at the Olympic finals. With feet fully grounded on who she is, hope her feet can fly:)
God bless this beautiful, powerful daughter of the Most High God! Father, as she honors you, please honor her, empower her to win the gold medal in Tokyo to the Glory of God!
Praise God form whom all blessings come, a beautiful testimony. So proud of what God’s Spirit has done in her and how faithful she has been as representing a Nation with the many freedoms we are blessed with. God Bless her.
I left out the most important part of Eric little story in my comments. Because he honored the Lord against heavy public opinion and pressure, God graciously gave him two gold medals. One, the 440, was a distance he had never run or Or even warmed up for before he was put in at the last minute. What a testimony to God’s favor! Hey Sydney be given a similar platform from which to lift high the name of Jesus
Praise God for the spirit of boldness and spirit of obedience that this young lady has shown. You always place Your children in places and situations where they can give glory and honor to You. I pray, Lord, please continue to bless this young lady with favor and success. Please, continue to use Sydney to bring glory and honor to Yourself. I pray that You place a hedge of protection around her and her family, and keep her bold in her faith. Keep her humble, and dependent on You. In Jesus’ name.
What a wonderful testimony. I was empowered to really intercede for her just now, for her physical well-being and strength, for her closest relationships, for her mental and emotional preparation, that all of these would be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. And I suddenly heard myself pray that she would be like Eric Liddle at the 1924 Paris Olympics Who, because he was a fervent follower of Christ, refused to run in his signature race because it was scheduled for a Sunday. The king of England was in attendance and personally begged Eric to change his mind, but he said that he owed or higher allegiance to the Lord to honor the Sabbath. For those of you who have never seen his inspiring story in the Academy award winning winning film of the year, Chariots of Fire, you can watch it on YouTube. Let’s agree that Sydney will have an opportunity from the gold metal stand to not only honor her country, but much more her Lord!
Amen and amen!!! Liddell said, “That’s a day to honor the Lord, not myself.” At least that’s what he says in my one-man play about him, so I’m not 100% sure he was actually quoted as saying it that way. I started writing the play over 20 years ago. It tells the story of what happened after Liddell shifted gears and [SPOILER ALERT: broke the world record in the 400m], the story told in Chariots of Fire. Liddell continued to run in China against world-class athletes, while teaching and coaching track. You can watch my performance of the play at the Singapore Expo here: http://www.RichDrama.com/BtC
I will definitely watch your play. What I didn’t share in my comments is that my grandparents we are missionaries in China for many decades and they were actually Japanese prisoners in the same camp as Eric. The stories grandpa has told me of what a wonderful blessing Eric was to him are etched in my memory
Oh, this young woman is such a breath of fresh air! After all the hatred and disrespect America has seen from athletes taking a knee, etc., (and I agree with Rep. Dan Crenshaw who has called for Gwen Berry to be removed from U.S. Olympic team for turning her back on the American flag and draping a T-shirt that said “Activist Athlete” over her head as the National Anthem was played at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials,) how wonderful to read about Sydney McLaughlin (“All the glory to God,” McLaughlin told NBC Sports after her victory.)
Such a lovely young woman and such a fine American! I will pray for her continued success!
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” ~ Eph. 6:10
Thanking You, Abba, for caring for and carrying Sydney to the victory of setting a new world record. Praying for her continued opportunities to bring honor and glory to Your name. Praying for Your continued blessing of health and safety as she travels, competes, as shares her faith and trust in You.
I give praise to you Lord for this young lady, giving all the praise, honor and glory due to you, openly to the people’s of the earth. May her testimony open the eyes of unbelievers to come to a relationship with you and also strengthen the faith of your remnant body of believers and your chosen Jewish people. Praise the Lord!
God bless you my dear sister!! You are a true example of exactly what having faith and trusting in God looks like!! May God continue to bless you in everything that you do and may His Light continue to shine in you for all the earth to see!! You are truly an inspiration!! Your sister in Christ, Abby Gail🥰❤🙏
What an outstanding testimony. Thanks for reminding me that God has already won the battle. Too often I try to fight the battles myself when there is no need as he has already claimed the Victory.