The upcoming 2028 LA Olympics will serve as the final swansong of many athletes. Each will be looking to make one last scram at the biggest individual glory in their careers. Pundits and long-term fans of the American track and field scene think that the same is true for Gabby Thomas. Her discreet signals towards her post-athletic goals are being seen as proof that she wants to end her career with a bang in LA. But is the 3-time Olympian looking to retire?

Gabby Thomas stands as one of the world’s leading sprinters. She is especially good at the 100m and 200m categories. She is the reigning gold medalist in the 200m, which she won at Paris 2024. And if that isn’t enough, she has also won two more golds in the 4×100 and 4×400 relay as part of Team USA. With so much success in the Olympics and beyond that, it is hard to argue her place among the greats.

She also has laid claim to the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. With a time of 21.81, she added yet another gold to her stock. But with so much success, a question also arises: What’s next for the sprinter? She has already been a decorated American performer. She also has records for her name. So does it mean that 2028 will really be her last?

Well, Thomas recently opened up about her future. “The gold medals, while they do add pressure, have given me a lot of confidence, have truly showed me what I’m capable of,” said Thomas. “So I’m definitely looking forward to the next couple of years. The fact that LA 2028 is in America, in my home country, I just don’t think it could be wrapped more beautifully for me.”

Her words make it apparent that she is still hungry for success. While she hasn’t given an immediate answer for her career going further, her goals are clear. She wants to win on home soil. It will be a special win after all. Thomas also mentions how she never really gave much thought to her medals. “The medals are truly just objects for me,” she said.

But beyond track and field, Thomas has also created quite a stir with her impact on fashion as well. With the establishment of Athlos NYC as well as her ventures as the face of magazine covers alongside Rihanna, she has become a cultural icon. But her ambitions don’t end just here. Beyond fashion, activism, and sports, she has one more dream.

Gabby’s interest beyond the track

The sporting track runs parallel to how Gabby Thomas devotes her time and energy to healthcare and medical matters. The undergraduate education Gabby Thomas received at an Ivy League school gave her a foundation to pursue her intense fascination with medical sciences by studying neurobiology and global health.

“When I retire, I’d love to stay in that space, whether that’s working in hospitals, running a hospital, or staying in the nonprofit space,” she said. Gabby Thomas has achieved more than academic excellence in her studies. When winning a gold medal at the World Championships last year, she added to her achievements by completing her master’s degree in epidemiology from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston to deepen her dedication to public health.

The daily observations of her mother, Jennifer Randall, laboring endlessly while pursuing education and caring for her children had a strong impact on Gabby. She experienced hard work through direct observation as her mother exhibited it repeatedly daily. Gabby took the same inner strength from her childhood that made her track journey successful.

As she first began her journey, she faced imposter syndrome. This made her question if she qualified to stand with the exceptional competitors. She decided to push forward against her doubts by dedicating all her effort to training. Success required more than natural talent, according to her mother, and Gabby learned from this lesson.

Such big moments as the Olympics presented themselves, and she handled them without any doubt. The next phase of her life brings her sights toward goals wider than winning Olympic medals. Her career will reach its peak during the Olympics, but will this be the culmination before further record-breaking performances after her home games? Under the approaching LA 2028 competition, the key question is, will she finish her running career?