Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is no stranger to breaking barriers on the track. But ahead of her long-anticipated debut on Jamaican soil at the Grand Slam Track Series, which opens Friday night at the National Stadium in Kingston, the 24-year-old made one thing clear: when it comes to how far she can go, only God knows.

“That’s a wonderful question,” McLaughlin-Levrone said when asked by Sportsmax.TV whether she believes she’s anywhere near her ceiling after lowering the 400m hurdles world record to 50.37 seconds. “I think only God knows the answer to that, to be honest.”

She admitted there’s always room for refinement, even in record-breaking races.

“I can always look at a race and figure out things that I can do better. Even looking at the Olympics, there’s always something you can do better. So I don’t know where the limit is. I’m just going to keep trying to find it.”

That quiet, focused determination has defined McLaughlin-Levrone’s journey. The American superstar has become one of the sport’s most electrifying figures, not just because of her talent, but because of her near-perfect execution and humility in the face of global acclaim.

Friday’s meet will mark the first time McLaughlin-Levrone races in Jamaica, and it also serves as her earliest season opener as a professional. The reigning Olympic 400m hurdles champion will contest both the 400m and the 400m hurdles—something she typically only does at national or global championships.

“It’s definitely a change,” she admitted. “You’ve got to be smart. It’s a long season, and while I know there’s a lot of money on the line and I want to compete well, I want to be wise. Opening up, getting two races under my belt, and walking away healthy—that’s a win.”

Despite her elite status, McLaughlin-Levrone remains grounded in her approach. While the world will watch her every stride, she’s focused on one thing: staying healthy and learning where she’s at in her preparation.

“It’s really just kind of figuring out where we’re at for training,” she said. “It’s training through and figuring out—OK, in April, where are we, what do we need to work on. It’s just shaking the cobwebs off, to be honest.”

The Grand Slam Track Series, in which she was the first athlete to sign, offers a unique structure that could see her venture outside of her usual lane. McLaughlin-Levrone revealed her team is considering options like the 200m, flat 400m, and even the 100m hurdles as the season progresses.

“It’s cool to show the range, get a different variety going,” she said. “I love being able to push myself outside the box of the four and the four hurdles and just challenge myself in that way.”

And while she often faces criticism for racing “too little,” she was quick to set the record straight.

“I do race,” she said with a laugh. “I think people just want me to race the races they want to see. But as an athlete, I have to make decisions for my health—physically and mentally—even if people aren’t okay with that. I have to be okay with it.”

“You can’t run a world record every time. My body can’t do that, my mind can’t do that. I’ve raised the bar, and I have to live with that—and that’s okay.”

As she prepares to step on the vibrant green track at the National Stadium, McLaughlin-Levrone is embracing the moment and the atmosphere.

“It’s great. I love the colours. I’ve never run on a green track before, so this is a first. I’m sure it’s going to be a very loud, exciting stadium.”

With her eyes set on health, growth, and faith in the journey, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone isn’t chasing limits—she’s rewriting them.