Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone pulls out of LA Grand Prix

Why is Ato Boldon Tweeting this? I would really have preferred to have read a statement from SML.

So much for the matchup between Marileidy Paulino & Syd. I was looking forward to it. Kersee drives me nuts with his not allowing his athletes to compete. I'm a big fan of Syd and find this very disappointing.

ocregister.com

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Athing Mu out of LA Grand Prix track meet

gqlshare

Their coach describes the reasons as “nothing serious” less than two weeks before the event at Drake Stadium. The event, set for next week at Drake Stadium, remains star-studded despite the absence…

Open link

"Bob Kersee, who coaches McLaughlin-Levrone and Mu in Los Angeles, described the pair’s reasons for missing the meet as 'nothing serious.'"

Great. So instead of one of the most anticipated races of the year -- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone running the 400 in LA against reigning World/Olympic silver medalist Marileidy Paulino -- she's withdrawing from the meet and we don't even have a reason. And Athing Mu, who was never listed among the entrants to begin with, isn't running either.

Will SML and Mu race at all before USAs? If they're not running a meet in their hometown that their coach is promoting, I'm not sure what kind of meet they would compete at.

It's certainly weird. She has a huge social media following. It's pretty telling she's making it clear it's Kersee's decision. There's no mention of an injury or anything. She posted herself training with her brother in the last 24 horus.

On the event website, they have this description on the startlist with it being the first event shown:

"In perhaps the most anticipated professional debut in the 400 since... well, since forever, Sydney faces a tough field that includes the reigning Olympic Silver Medalist Marileidy Paulino. After Sydney's last outing in 50.68 (btw, over hurdles), we collectively hold our breath whenever she laces up. Here we go."

On the homepage, they have Sydney and Mondo pictured with Sydney as the first name on the marquee.

To be frank, this is an embarrassing and selfish decision by Kersee, and it should piss off American track fans in my view.

This is precisely why TnF is a bush league sport.

I almost bought tickets to this because I got a few ads on Instagram with Sydney’s smiling face promoting it. Glad I waited. It sucks as someone who is a fan of both of them and knows what they mean to the sport to see that apparently participating in that sport is not a priority.

Mu will be up to 10 months without competing. That is with nothing except for a vague injury that doesn't appear to have required any surgery or time off.

I am SHOCKED. She's just gonna do trials and worlds then call it a season isn't she?

"Nothing serious" is the presence of Paulino

If she wasn't entered Sydney would have run

I don't know why Sydney receives as much benefit of a doubt as she does. I was much more of a fan during her 52+ era as the trust the process all glory 50.68 homebody era.

i wonder if they will refund tickets lol

'Coach's decision' is a lame excuse. They should give the reason he made the decision. Could be anything.

Not a surprise at all. In Hollywood it's a professional environment. LA GP did not publish guaranteed minimum appearance fee, guaranteed prize monies, TV residuals after the main broadcast. No wonder Athing and Syd pulled out. Don't expect charity like Mt Sac, J Serra, Oxy, Long Beach, Fresno, etc.

LOL Her coach is putting this meet on. Am I shocked she pulled out? Not at all just suprised she pulled out so early would have though the day before of morning of the race. This is almost a bait and switch. Put it out there they she is running, sell a bunch of tickets, then she comes up with some lame excuse to pull out. Glad I decided long ago to pass going to this event

If I could get paid what SML gets paid to race/travel twice a year, I can't say I wouldn't do the same.

I guess her and Mu are taking the Makhloufi racing approach.

also i dont think (per his iaaf profile) brandon miller has raced either since july 2022 lol. this is kinda sad man

Well they have a bye for Worlds this year given the fact they are defending champions in their respective events, so it’s actually possible they will only race in Budapest this year.

Meanwhile:

They need to race at least once at USAs for USATF to allow them to use their bye, so the scenarios are:
a) They get a medical exemption from racing at USAs due to injury so they can show up to Worlds
b) They race the full 3 rounds at USAs
c) They race 1 or 2 rounds then pull out of the final at USAs

this is why no one cares about track anymore

these athletes ultimately hurt their earning potential by doing this. whatever its their life....

but damn, they could really make this sport more appealing if they wanted to AND make a hell of a lot more money.....