Dunellen track renamed in honor of Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin

Fans and community members gathered to celebrate the renaming of the Columbia Park Track in honor of New Jersey native and Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin.

News 12 Staff

Aug 28, 2021, 1:23 PM

Updated 978 days ago

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Fans and community members gathered to celebrate the renaming of the Columbia Park Track in honor of New Jersey native and Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin.
McLaughlin grew up in Dunellen and trained on the Columbia Park Track with her father as her coach.
McLaughlin took home two gold medals in the Tokyo Olympics, and she set a world record in the 400-meter hurdle.
Community leaders say they thought it was appropriate to rename the track after her in celebration of her success.
McLaughlin says it was an honor to be able to celebrate with the community she grew up with.
"It's just full circle, really. They've watched me grow up, and just being able to come back, being able to celebrate with them, it means so much to me, it means so much to them,” she says. “Being able to put our small town on the map, it's really a pleasure to be able to represent them."
McLaughlin is also celebrating after she announced her engagement to former NFL star Andre Levrone, Jr.
McLaughlin comes from a family of track stars where her father often coached her on the running track that is now named after her. 


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