7 Fun Facts About Team USA’s Youngest Olympian Sydney McLaughlin

aug 17, 2016

At just 17 years old, Sydney McLaughlin was the youngest athlete to compete for Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Running the 400 meter hurdles in the track and field events, Sydney has been making waves for her athletic capabilities. But we thought we'd share some interesting facts about the teen phenomenon, which prove she's equally as awesome on the track as she is off of it.

Olympian Sydney McLaughlin running the 400m hurdles during the Olympic trials

(Photo Credit: Patrick Smith via Getty Images)

1. Sydney was the youngest female U.S. athlete to compete in the track and field events at the Olympics since Carol Lewis in 1980. That's almost 40 years later.

2. She was named the 2015-2016 Gatorade National Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year and was even presented the award by Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix. Doesn't get much better than that.

3. Her lucky charm? None other than a blanket covered in minions. Yep, her Minion obsession runs deep.

4. If you didn't catch a glimpse of her during the opening ceremonies, it's because she wasn't there. Sydney stayed home to celebrate her 17th birthday on Aug. 7, which is why she missed the big event on Aug. 5. We're sure she'll have plenty of other opening ceremonies to attend anyway.

5. Her dad understands the pressure that comes along with being an Olympic athlete, because he ran the 400 meters at the 1984 Olympic trials. Like father, like daughter.

Sydney McLaughlin holding the American flag behind her next to a sign showing her time after running a race

(Photo Credit: Patrick Smith via Getty Images)

6. She can juggle while riding a unicycle at the same time. She even founded the juggling club at her high school. We're still waiting on video evidence of her capabilities though.

7. Sydney makes a difference in her community by volunteering for the Central Jersey Chapter of Hope Worldwide. Through the organization, she distributes fire safety and disaster relief info to people on behalf of the American Red Cross. Is there anything she can't do?

These aren't the only interesting tidbits we're revealing about Olympic athletes. Get to know the USA Women's Gymnastics Team a bit better by checking out THESE five fun facts about the girls.