Gabby Thomas had a next-level year in 2024. Going into the Paris Olympics, she was flying under the radar as an underdog—maybe she’d snag a medal or two, right? But nope, she came out swinging, grabbing THREE gold medals and cementing herself as one of the top track stars on the planet. Naturally, this was just the beginning of an epic ride.

Soon after Paris, she teamed up with Reddit CEO Alexis Ohanian to shake things up in the world of track. They launched Athlos NYC, an all-female event aimed at giving female competitors a financial boost that blows traditional races like the Diamond League out of the water. Each event winner walked away with a cool $60,000. Spectators couldn’t stop praising it. And Gabby’s schedule? It’s been packed with everything from guest hosting RuPaul’s Drag Race and appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live to chilling in the TODAY Show plaza, vibing at the F1 race, the US Open, WNBA games, and even taking the reins as Grand Marshal at the NYC Marathon. Now, it looks like she’s got another feather to add to her already loaded cap.

The athlete has become the new swimsuit model for Sports Illustrated alongside freestyle skier Eileen Gu, known for winning three medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Sports Illustrated uploaded an Instagram story on November 5th featuring both of them together. They were possibly in the middle of their photoshoot.

The pictures of this photoshoot have finally dropped as SI uploaded an Instagram post of Gabby Thomas wearing a blue swimsuit with words written in the middle. It said, “Voting is hot.” The caption of the post also echoed the same sentiment, saying, “Your morning reminder: ‘Voting is hot’.” This was made amidst the 2024 US presidential elections, for which people are being encouraged to vote. Gabby Thomas’ post comes just two days after people also appreciated the selection of Olympic gymnast Suni Lee as SI’s new swimsuit model.

The magazine’s official Instagram unveiled Suni’s look on November 3rd, as she wore a chic brown swimsuit lounging by the pool. But she is also not the first Olympian to pose for Sports Illustrated either. Many have done so in the past, including her teammate Simone Biles. This was back in 2017, and another compatriot, Aly Raisman, joined her.

Rugby Sevens Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher was also part of one edition. Thus, the brand is brilliantly utilizing the strength of these Olympians to drive traffic. However, this year, Sports Illustrated has a very specific theme of celebrating athletes like Gabby Thomas who have been successful at the greatest event in the world.

Why did Sports Illustrated select Gabby Thomas as their new model?

Gabby Thomas has joined Sports Illustrated to model for next year’s May edition of the magazine. This is because of her extraordinary performances on the track this year, which include her three medal haul at the Olympics. The website of SI said that they’re very proud that Gabby Thomas is part of their next edition, as she is an inspiration on and off the track.

Totally true! Gabby Thomas isn’t just a force on the track—she’s making waves off it too. Not only is she one of the most decorated athletes in her field and the mastermind behind one of the biggest events of the year, but she’s also a passionate humanitarian. As a volunteer at Austin Healthcare, Gabby puts her master’s degree in public health to work, showing that her impact stretches far beyond the starting line.

When it comes to next year’s lineup, Sports Illustrated’s editor-in-chief, MJ Day, couldn’t be more pumped. She’s got nothing but excitement for this new generation of athletes, saying, “This remarkable group, featuring Olympic medalists, world champions, and record holders, embodies the next generation of all-stars poised to transform the world of sports. They defy stereotypes and champion equality, inspiring young girls to envision themselves as both athletes and leaders.” Gabby Thomas is a shining example of all that, making her the perfect fit to represent the magazine. With her track record (pun intended), she’s not just an athlete—she’s a role model. No doubt, she’ll be an incredible addition to the lineup!