“I Beat Them All, But”: Gabby Thomas Reveals How a Group of Boys Wanted to Test Their Speed Against Her

Atlanta-born Gabby Thomas began participating in athletics when her mother, Dr. Jennifer Randall, recognized her natural athleticism. Her mother believed Thomas was “pretty much born athletic.” Thomas stepped into the elite track and field scene after she graduated from Harvard in 2019 though a minor liver tumor in May threatened her 2021 Tokyo Olympics debut. However, the stunning third-fastest sprinter in history title in the 200m event at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials in June paved the way for her Olympic goals.

However, many are still unaware of her pursuit of greatness that existed since the champion was a young student struggling to forge her own identity.

Gabby Thomas reinstates Olympic dream

A two-time Olympic medalist, and 22 conference titles awardee Harvard grad with a master’s in public health, Gabby Thomas is an all-arounder athlete. The 27-year-old recently appeared on 11Alive and NBC interview posted on YouTube chatting about her ‘journey to 2024 Paris Olympics.’ Thomas stated, “my goals for the summer to be on this track and field Olympic team and run for a gold medal.”

“I’m really excited because it’ll be my second Olympics and… I feel great and I feel fit,” Thomas added. Her journey from the classroom to the Olympic podium helped to mold her into the exceptional athlete she is today. “I remember all the boys wanted to race me just to see if they could beat me, and I beat all of them but one,” she said talking about her Atlanta’s college preparatory private school, Pace Academy days.

This is not the first time Thomas looked back on her academic and athletic career, crediting her school years for developing a strong sense of gratitude for her track accomplishments.

It’s all in the roots!

Thomas succeeded academically and athletically at Harvard after moving from high school, winning NCAA titles, and being recognized as the Ivy League’s Most Outstanding Track Performer. She showed great discipline and desire by sticking to her studies despite the pressures of her demanding training. At her June Trials for the Tokyo Olympics, she noted, “Being in school really makes me appreciate what I’m doing on the track.”

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For the Paris hopeful champion runner, the Olympics represent the fruit of years of unrelenting preparation and selflessness. Her journey from outrunning her classmates in school to becoming a world-class sprinter does not cease to fade as she aims to add more medals to her collection- preferably gold!

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