SPORT Born to Run
5 min
Photo by NINO MUÑOZ
In 2016, Sydney McLaughlin became the youngest American track and field athlete in 4 decades to qualify to represent Team USA on the world stage. Even before launching her professional athletic career, Sydney had an impeccable record: she won every single high school race, both indoor and outdoor, for several years in a row. And she hasn’t stopped running since.
At just 21-years-old, Sydney continues to set and break new records, including her most recent milestone: becoming the first woman in history to post a sub-13-second time for 100 m hurdles, a sub-23-second mark for the 200 m and a sub-53-second run in the 400 m. It’s no surprise that Sydney will be running as part of Team USA in Tokyo this summer.
« Our shared passion for high performance, mental strength and the ‘Don’t crack under pressure’ spirit made this a natural and authentic match. »
Sydney McLaughlin
Photo by NINO MUÑOZ
These achievements crown her as one of the fastest women of all time and make her a natural choice as a TAG Heuer Ambassador. “We are proud to welcome Sydney to the TAG Heuer family”, says Frédéric Arnault, CEO of TAG Heuer. “She is a force to be reckoned with, and her influence reaches far beyond her sport. We look forward to supporting her in Tokyo and in the years to come, as she continues to defy the limits of speed and precision, an ambition we share at TAG Heuer.”
How does Sydney feel about being a part of the TAG Heuer family? “I’m very excited about this new partnership with TAG Heuer and to be in such great company amongst their list of ambassadors”, she says. “Our shared passion for high performance, mental strength and the ‘Don’t crack under pressure’ spirit made this a natural and authentic match.”
When it comes to wearing and using a TAG Heuer Connected, Sydney adds, “[it’s] already my everyday companion, in training and off the track.” The new Connected Watch has some exciting new features for runners, swimmers and other athletes, including a program for indoor running, making it an invaluable tool for athletes in training, no matter the landscape or weather conditions.
Photo by NINO MUÑOZ
Among the app’s updates: a dedicated heart rate screen and a way to see, at a glance, which heart rate zone they’re in. The app also provides full, post-run analyses. At the end of the season, the runner can use it to calculate their pace per session and per season, so they can stay on track with their fitness goals. As a stylish and versatile accessory, the Connected Watch is a perfect fit for Sydney, who has remarked about her personal style: “I always practice and race in high-performance wear that feels classic.”
Besides being a true track champion, Sydney is also a committed advocate who amplifies her platform in support of causes like anti-bullying. She made the 2021 TIME100 Next list, which recognises emerging leaders who are shaping the future.
As her fellow sprinter Allyson Felix has said: “I know that the mark [Sydney] will leave on this world will be so much bigger than records and medals.” At TAG Heuer, we couldn’t agree more.
Photo by NINO MUÑOZ
