Gabby Thomas didn’t just show up at the 2024 Paris Olympics—she stole the show! In the women’s 200-meter final, Gabby reminded everyone why she’s a force to be reckoned with, blazing past 100-meter Olympic champ Julien Alfred and clocking in at 21.83 seconds. Saint Lucia’s Alfred grabbed silver with 22.08, but Gabby’s world-leading dominance was crystal clear on the purple track at Stade de France. And just in case anyone still had doubts about her speed, Gabby casually picked up two more golds in the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays, proving she’s not just fast—she’s unstoppable. But here’s the real kicker: Gabby Thomas didn’t just win; she made history!

She became the first track and field star to snag three golds at a single Olympics, joining an elite club with legends like Florence Griffith-Joyner, Wilma Rudolph, Valerie Brisco-Hooks, and, of course, her biggest inspiration, Allyson Felix. Felix has been Gabby’s guiding light, always there to offer advice and support. And just before Gabby hit the Paris stage, they had a heart-to-heart that couldn’t have come at a better time!

Allyson Felix’s golden words before the Paris Olympics set the tone for Gabby Thomas’s triumph

During an interview with TODAY, when Gabby Thomas was asked about following in Allyson Felix’s legendary footsteps—especially after matching her record in Paris—she couldn’t help but smile. Gabby shared, “It’s an incredible full-circle moment because she was my introduction to the Olympics I remember watching her Olympic trials and watching myself in her.” She continued, “And I remember her telling me before I even left for Paris, “You know how to do this. You’ve done it for years. Go out and have fun and show the world what you have been working on.” That’s what I needed to hear. It alleviated a lot of nerves going into it. And seeing her reaction to my races and how proud she is of me is everything.”

Felix’s advice clearly hit the mark because Gabby took Paris by storm, reaching what some might call the pinnacle of her track and field career. However, the parallels between Thomas and Felix go beyond just medals—they share a strikingly similar style on the track, and many have dubbed Gabby the spiritual successor to Felix’s athletic throne. Their styles are very similar too and so are their records!

The passing of batons and legacies from one American queen to the next binds Felix and Thomas

In so many ways, Gabby Thomas’s career feels like a modern-day echo of Allyson Felix’s legendary run. Felix, the most decorated female track and field athlete ever, pulled off the same gold medal hat trick at the London 2012 Olympics that Gabby just nailed in Paris—taking first in the 200m, the 4x100m relay, and the 4x400m relay. But Gabby didn’t just stop there; she became the first American woman to snag 200-meter gold since Felix in 2012, leaving none other than the eight-time Olympic medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in her wake.

The comparisons between Gabby and Felix aren’t just about medals—they’re about versatility and sheer consistency. Both have dominated in multiple events, proving they’re not just good—they’re incredible across the board. Even former American sprinter Michael Johnson weighed in on the Gabby Thomas-Allyson Felix comparison!

Highlighting their remarkable blend of speed and versatility, the veteran Michael Johnson said, “She (Thomas) has that perfect combination. A long stride in the 200 like Allyson Felix. Gabby got bronze in 2021 at the last Olympics, and this was great redemption.” MJ also noted her abilities beyond the 200 sharing: “She has ran on both [4x100m and 4x400m] and she is always in the relay pool for both. Last year, and also in Eugene, she was in both.”

While Allyson Felix has cemented her place as one of the greatest track and field athletes ever, Gabby Thomas isn’t far behind and is proving to be a worthy successor to her idol. The heartfelt moment they shared at the Paris Olympics truly captures the passing of the torch from one legend to a rising star. What do you think of this inspiring exchange between the maestro and the prodigy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!