“Grown as an Athlete”: Second Fiddle to Elaine Thompson-Herah, Gabby Thomas on Jamaicans Watch to Clinch Gold at Paris Olympics

If there’s someone standing between Gabrielle Thomas and an Olympic gold medal, it’s probably the nimble-footed and swift Jamaicans. The Jamaicans have exerted a mighty blow to American compatriots this season. But this year is a bit different because the Jamaican that left Thomas with a chip on her shoulder in 2020 is not participating in the mega sporting event in Paris due to a debilitating injury. But nonetheless, there might be other Jamaicans that the sprinter might have to keep an eye on. Having grown and become all the wiser, Thomas is back in top-notch form and her 2024 standings speak for itself.

But it also goes to say that the World Champion thinks that “This is my year.” The athlete made the highlights when she the 200m semi in world leading time after her success at the USATF Olympic Team Trials. But alas, the athlete is making great strides after finally finding a spot in the Olympic Games, yet again, but this time it’s the Paris Olympics. Gabby Thomas, we are rooting for you. Show us your spunk.

Gabrielle Thomas might turn the tides in her favor this time around

After running the 200m in a blazingly fast 21.81 seconds, the athlete was as jolly as she could be. She came to a presser after the trials, and the correspondent didn’t waste time and threw down the gauntlet, asking her views on what she has gathered after watching the Jamaicans run 100m, though they haven’t run in the 200 yet. Though there hasn’t been much of a storyline from the Caribbean side of the world, Thomas was sure that the Jamaicans will come in clutch. “I think they’re shaping up to be in good form and I can only expect them to show up when it matters, and I think they will and they’re going to bring it and so I’m going to have to be prepared,” said Thomas. The Olympian further pointed out, on Citius Mag’s YT channel that, “But I feel confident that will be. I am more mature, like I said, I’ve grown as an athlete, so we know what to expect. I’m going to stay focused and diligent these next few weeks before we head into Paris.”

The 200m has always been her bread and butter and we can attest to it. Gabby Thomas has registered season best timings the past year. Let’s have a look at them systematically to gauge where she stands in the grand scheme of things. Her 200m timings have been the talk of the town and you can surmise why. Have a look.

About the chip on the shoulder, Gabby Thomas might be coming at it with all she’s got after she found herself at the mercy of Elaine Thompson-Herah in 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Thompson-Herah won the gold while Gabby Thomas fell into the third position with a bronze medal. Unfortunately, the second fastest lady in the world will not be participating in the Paris Olympics this year because of an injury. However, she’s determined to bounce back in the future and, as she’s still in the process of licking her wounds dry, what’s next on the wunderkind Thompson-Herah’s radar?

A bright future awaits Elaine Thompson-Herah

Thompson-Herah competed in the NYC Grand Prix in the 200m in April last year and will not be seen with shimmering medals dangling down her lapels this year. The track and field phenom found herself injured on June 9th this year at the NYC Grand Prix finishing last. As luck would have it, it wasn’t any run-of-the-mill injury. Rather, she tore her Achilles tendon and was carted off the venue, and the pain left her quivering not only physically but also mentally. But struggling with chinks in your armor and being determined to bounce back is second nature to most athletes, just not this time for Herah, unfortunately.

She took to Instagram pledging, “I WILL BE BACK,” and the news came just two days before her birthday. Realizing that this wasn’t an ideal birthday that she had hoped for, the track and field star insisted, “my health comes first.”

“It’s a long road but I am willing to start over and keep working and to make full recovery and resume my track career. I am hurt and devastated to be missing the Olympic this year but at the end of the day it’s sports and my health comes first,” wrote Thompson-Herah on Instagram. The road to recovery might be long, but fortune favors the brave and there are no qualms about her braveness. For now, with recuperation being the name of the game, LA 2028 will come calling with open arms.