For me its the lack of joy. I get the feeling she races out of obligation or duty, to God, family and the like, not from any sense of joy or pleasure. That's just off-putting to me, but I wouldn't say I hate her; just can't really love her. I don't question her talent or work, it just seems too business like and that's not interesting as a fan.
One anecdote I heard from a coach of the US Team at the 2022 Eugene Worlds: The only US athlete that did not stay in the US Team Hotel was Sydney. I think she's just not into it.
When LR people are confronted with a cogent argument they lack the capacity to counter, they often resort to an ad hominem attack.
LR people who lack proficiency in critical thinking, analysis, and writing often conclude that others who demonstrate such skills must be reliant upon AI tools.
She's a consistent winner. People don't like consistent winners. When the Patriots won their first Super Bowl against the Rams they were huge underdogs, so it was a great story. When they won their 6th Super Bowl, also against the Rams, and their 3rd Super Bowl win in 5 seasons, people hated their guts because they were tired of seeing them win so much.
The same thing is happening here with Sydney. They want to see someone new come along. People can come up with a million excuses for why they don't like her so much, but at the end of the day, they're just tired of seeing her win so much.
Women's 400h was a fringe event until her attractive high-schooler vibe took it up. Del Muhammad was great, and largely unknown.
She captured the marketers. Then parcelled out her racing.
She has talent. But her real step now us 400 flat, and her psyche doesn’t fit. Don't blame coach. What makes her great at 400h is her kryptonite at 400 flat
2. Lack of racing (more relevant in years prior to 2025)
3. Lack of personality - she seems so reserve and I don't think any fans feel like they know her so it's frustrating
4. Due to #2 and #3 I don't think she's taking advantage of helping grow the spot. She's a dominant, attractive women who could bring a lot of eyes to T&F but it feels like she doesnt care to help which kind of comes off as selfish even if it's unfair to think that way
She doesn't care because she is personally paid very well. The Grand Slam fiasco is a perfect example. She could use her voice to advocate for other athletes who need the unpaid prize money. But she remains silent because she is already paid enough in appearance money.
At least that's the perception, and she has not done anything to reverse it.
1) Lack of racing, only leaves the country when there is a championship.
2) Her coach. He's got a bad reputation regarding not wanting his athletes to race and drugs. I dont think she's doping but the fact she stays at home and doesnt race won't help people's perceptions.
3) Attitude to the sport. She never appears to enjoy the sport, interviews very generic, very little emotion. The DL stunt last year of trying to get a back door entry into the final was crass and pissed off a lot of regular athletics spectators. Does the bare minimum. Only races when there is an unsustainable amount of money on the table, see GST. Even then didnt race in proper races against the actual/best 200m/400m runners.
American's will like her because she wins for their country, fair enough.
American athletics fans will be torn because she's winning for them but some will agree that other than 1 great race a championship she doesnt really do anything for them.
Most irregular fans (only watch Olympics) like her because they are unaware of stuff I've pointed out. They just see a champion.
Most non-American athletics fans dislike her because what do they get from watching her? They cant support her because she doesnt race, when she does its in America, she tries a stunt at the expense of athletes they do watch. There is no story to follow with her.
2. Lack of racing (more relevant in years prior to 2025)
3. Lack of personality - she seems so reserve and I don't think any fans feel like they know her so it's frustrating
4. Due to #2 and #3 I don't think she's taking advantage of helping grow the spot. She's a dominant, attractive women who could bring a lot of eyes to T&F but it feels like she doesnt care to help which kind of comes off as selfish even if it's unfair to think that way
She doesn't care because she is personally paid very well. The Grand Slam fiasco is a perfect example. She could use her voice to advocate for other athletes who need the unpaid prize money. But she remains silent because she is already paid enough in appearance money.
At least that's the perception, and she has not done anything to reverse it.
I'd add to this, SML and Bobby Kersee have been extremely quiet on GST. She was the first athlete signed up.
I'd like to see the GST financials because I bet SML got paid and most of the other athletes didn't.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s coach, Bobby Kersee, expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the LA Grand Slam track meet, calling for greater commitment and investment in the sport from corpora
When LR people are confronted with a cogent argument they lack the capacity to counter, they often resort to an ad hominem attack.
LR people who lack proficiency in critical thinking, analysis, and writing often conclude that others who demonstrate such skills must be reliant upon AI tools.
Oy vey. No professor are you. lol. Talk about sophomoric.
Very fine runner. Physically marketable. But runs in an event that's not mainstream and looks downright weird with the low low hurdles. Very stand offish in interviews and gives the impression she wants to be anywhere else. If you don't believe in God, the emphasis on her belief is a negative. Connection with coach with a tainted reputation. Compare her manner to the quirky and engaging Hassan.