Her parents are Willie Mclaughlin & Mary McLaughlin. Both former standout track runners. Sydney is biracial.
In the beginning (according to Wikipedia)….
McLaughlin belongs to an athletic family; her father Willie was a semi-finalist in the 400 meters at the 1984 Olympic Trials, her mother Mary was a runner in high school, and her older brother Taylor is also a sprinter and hurdler. She attends Union Catholic Regional High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and has been successful academically. McLaughlin took up running at an early age, following Taylor and their older sister Morgan
THE REAL DEAL (according to our sources):
Sydney grew up in New Jersey and played a lot of sports. Her family always knew she would eventually focus on track and field at some point.
As a freshman in high school, Sydney was dominating her entire state and went on to set world junior records in the 400M hurdles.
She has an older brother who is a freshman at the University of Michigan. He runs the 400M hurdles also and participated at the U.S. Olympics trials.
Sydney was extremely nervous before her races at the U.S. Olympic Trails in Eugene, Oregon. She was able to gather her composure because her parents Willie and Mary both were in attendance and encouraging her throughout the heats.
Fortunately Sydney placed third in the 400M Hurdle finals. She is the youngest track and field Olympian since 1972. She will be making the trip to Rio with her family and possibly taking home a medal back to New Jersey. Her parents will be proud if she’s able to accomplish a gold, silver or bronze.
