While the spotlight can bring fame and admiration, it also brings the risk of excess attention, and sometimes, it can go too far. Gabby Thomas, the three-time Olympic gold medalist, recently opened up about a frightening situation that many athletes, despite their success, have to face. She shared with her followers that she fears she’s being stalked, revealing that a group of middle-aged men have been harassing her at airports across the country. Instead of keeping her concerns to herself, Gabby took to TikTok to ask for advice, saying, “I fear I’m being stalked and I genuinely don’t know what to do or who to go to.”

Gabby’s fears grew as she noticed the same group of men showing up at various airports, often appearing at the front door or gate. They even seemed to have her flight information, which made her feel like her privacy was completely invaded. These men would approach her with stacks of photos for her to sign—sometimes as many as 40 and when she declined, they became aggressive. Gabby finds it very distressing to experience stalking in various cities yet she lacks understanding about appropriate help channels because incidents happen across different areas.

Amid this stress, Gabby recently moved from Texas to Boston to cheer for her teammates in the 2025 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. As a sponsored athlete of New Balance, Gabby despite being disturbed, was there to cheer for athletes at the event.  In a recent interview, while cheering for the athletes in Boston, she reflected on her journey, sharing, “It’s all the hardwork I have put in prior to that and it’s all paying off. It takes a lot of experience to come and take the big win and then maintain.”

She further added, “So I’m really looking at all the other atheletes that have come before me who have had that longetivity and have have figured out how to stay there for a long period of time.” Despite the stalking ordeal, Gabby is focused on her training and the upcoming competition.

However, we can imagine the toll such an experience can take on an individual. Gabby’s concern about these men, who seem to know more about her than she’s comfortable with, adds a layer of stress that shouldn’t be a part of any athlete’s life. Moreover, it’s not just about her. There have been equally important concerns for Spencer McManes’ safety since the duo started dating in 2022.

Gabby remained unclear about what to do next. She confronted a dilemma about whom to contact first between airport security and local police because the events occurred throughout several cities without her knowing where the perpetrators resided. Public fame exposes individuals to significant danger as the situation demonstrates. While Gabby continues to excel in her career, these personal challenges show that even the most successful athletes are not immune to the downsides of glory.