Regarding her religion, as a European, I find any athlete that constantly thanks God in their post race interview strange. Evangelical Christianity is very much an American thing and we generally consider religion a private affair, not public. It also amuses me they rarely thank their coach, or their sponsor, or their family "first and foremost I thank The Lord and Jesus Christ, his Son.." blah blah blah. I mean, fecks sake, they could even just big-up themselves for putting in the hard work and simply be proud of what they have done.
So for me, ANY athlete that is overly religious in an interview, I find uncomfortable, strange and unnecessary. That being said, Sydney is pretty much the worst, and over here, it doesn't really do her any favours. But I can accept that in the US maybe this isn't unusual or as strange as it is to us.
On her possible retirement, I sincerely doubt she has retired yet. With respect to fellow posters that believe she, as I wrote earlier, she hasn't competed until June these last two seasons, so her being MIA, or doing book promotional interviews, is not unusual. We won't see her on a track for at least another 3 months. My only doubt is that someone posted on another thread that they regularly attend her track and whilst her group have been sighted, as has Mu, she's nowhere to be seen.
Kersee's master plan is for her to double in Paris...if she handles the Trials well. He made Felix attempt the 200/400 double in 2016 and 2020(1), when way past her best, so he will certainly make Sydney do it while actually at her peak. I think the plan will be:
May/June - Run 2 meets (1 over the flat, 1 over the hurdles)
June 21-30 - US Olympic Trials. Run the 400m & 400mh
July - no meets
August 4-11 - Paris Olympics - last minute decision as to whether she runs both events
Season over