Sydney McLaughlin to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for McLaughlin fans. Speculation had been rife that 400-metre hurdles world record holder is about to announce her retirement from sports, at age 26, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 24/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an athlete isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an athlete just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouSydney

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouSydney was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“Sydney McLaughlin was unlike any other athlete we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouSydney”
— @universalObserver, 23 Mar 2026

“I thought Sydney McLaughlin retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 23 Mar 2026

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