Caitlin Clark’s Unusual Admission Reminds US Olympics Hope Gabby Thomas of Being Misunderstood for Her Pre-Race Regime

Gabby Thomas, the track Olympian who clinched bronze in the 200m and silver as part of the women’s 4x100m relay at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has kicked off the Olympic year 2024 with an incredible start. A key member of both the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams, Thomas helped secure gold for the USA at the 2024 World Athletics Relays 2024.

Her strong performance secured the USA a berth at the Paris Olympics as the relay nation to beat and a chance at her second Olympic cycle. Thomas is known for her calm and focused demeanor before every race. However, what’s interesting is the hidden pre-race regime she shares with none other than the WNBA’s No. 1 overall pick, Caitlin Clark.

Gabby Thomas and Caitlin Clark share the same pre-race regime

In an Instagram story on May 9, Gabby Thomas shared a post by HighlightHER, which featured an update about Caitlin Clark’s pre-game music choice. In the reel shared by the account, the 2024 Naismith National Player of the Year, Clark, revealed her pre-game ritual, saying, “I don’t listen to music before a game so I can’t answer. I like silence.”

Sharing in her story that she, too, prefers this meditative approach to decluttering her mind, Gabby wrote, “I always tell people this and nobody understands.” This revelation highlighted how Gabby’s preference for silence, in contrast to the hype music favored by many athletes, is often misunderstood despite her consistently powerful performances. As we reflect on these words, let’s delve into how this intense focus contributed to Gabby Thomas delivering an incredible split time at the World Athletics Relays 2024.

How Gabby wowed at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau at the World Athletics Relays 2024

Gabby Thomas showed her exceptional talent and commitment to Team USA at the 2024 World Athletics Relays, clinching gold in both the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay races. Competing in two events just twenty minutes apart, Thomas delivered outstanding performances, clocking a 10.23s split in the 4x100m relay and the fastest 400m split of 49.58s in the 4x400m relay. Speaking about her preparation and the team’s success, Thomas emphasized their strong mentality and commitment, stating, “It’s a testament to how we came to World Relays, we came prepared, we came with the mentality we knew we wanted to get the job done and we were committed to that.”

Thomas also credited her teammates, particularly Quanera Hayes, whose strong start in the 4x400m relay made her race “it was a pretty easy run from there.” Hayes echoed this sentiment, saying, “…we trusted her 100% cuz she’s Gabby you know.” As the Olympic year continues to unfold, fans eagerly anticipate how Thomas’ winning pre-game ritual and improved speed will lead Team USA to the podium in Paris.