Sydney McLaughlin, 21, is a sprinter and hurdler for America’s Olympic team and during the trials leading up to the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, McLaughlin broke the world record for the 400-meter hurdle trials with a time of 51.90 seconds.

She is the first woman to ever run this event in under 52 seconds.

She broke the world record held by fellow teammate, Delilah Muhammad, who ran the event in 52.16 seconds in 2019.

In an interview after the record-breaking run, McLaughlin stated that it was her faith in God that contributed to her success, stating that as she was training, God told her to “just focus on Me.”

In a post on Instagram after her run, McLaughlin wrote:

“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.”

READ: Sydney McLaughlin breaks world record at Olympic trials, says God told her ‘just focus on me’

Lead photo: YouTube capture