“SPRINT” is an exciting two-part docuseries that gives us an inside look at the lives of top sprinters as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics. It provided a great opportunity to see the hard work, sacrifices, and challenges these athletes faced every day. Track and field, like tennis and F1, has been getting more attention thanks to documentaries, especially with platforms like Netflix. But for Gabby Thomas, how did it feel to be part of this series? While it was a huge opportunity, she admitted it was a bit awkward for her to watch herself on screen.

Being featured in the series marked a proud moment for Gabby Thomas, though she expressed some uneasiness about it. She said,

“I can’t watch myself on TV,” which is totally understandable. Even though she felt a bit uneasy seeing herself on screen, she was still truly excited about the project because she recognized the importance of showcasing track and field—a sport that is often underrated in comparison to others. But why did she have that sense of discomfort?

Gabby Thomas reveals the awkward truth behind her role in SPRINT

On the 5th of November, Gabby Thomas appeared as a guest on the podcast “Ali on the Run,” discussing her journey while being showcased in the documentary “SPRINT.” When the host asked if she ever had second thoughts about joining, Gabby revealed her excitement about the opportunity to showcase track and field. She pointed out how sports such as tennis and F1 had garnered interest through documentaries. She was optimistic about track and field having a similar impact.

Gabby had watched shows like Full Swing and Breakpoint and felt that track athletes, with all their unique personalities and stories, deserved the spotlight too. So, she took the initiative and reached out to Box to Box Films, who were already planning to feature the sport. “So I DMed them and I asked if we could just meet, get coffee, and talk about doing this for track,” she recalled. The response was surprisingly positive, with the team already having plans to include track and field.

Even though Gabby was excited about the project’s potential for success, she openly acknowledged feeling uneasy when viewing herself on screen. She confessed, “I can’t watch myself on TV or in interviews. It’s too cringey. I don’t do it.” Gabby went on to explain that whenever she catches a glimpse of herself on screen, she tends to skip past her scenes and instead focuses on the performances of others whom she admires for appearing fantastic. Although she was a bit nervous about being in the spotlight herself. Gabby was still thrilled about how the show could shine a light on track and field and motivate others. But when will this docuseries be released?

Rising track star with eyes on LA 2028

SPRINT—Part 2 will be hitting screens on November 13, and it’s diving deeper into the lives of the world’s fastest sprinters as they chase their dreams on the global stage. Part 1, which premiered on July 2, gave fans a thrilling introduction to these elite athletes on their road to the 2023 World Championships. This time around, the docuseries spotlights an incredible lineup, featuring stars like Gabby Thomas, Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, Kishane Thompson, Julien Alfred, Letsile Tebogo, Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, Marcell Jacobs, Kenny Bednarek, Shericka Jackson, and Oblique Seville. Thomas and Lyles take center stage as the series’ headliners—well deserved after Thomas’s remarkable triumphs in Paris.

At Paris 2024, Gabby Thomas dominated the track, winning gold in the 200m and playing a key role in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. She is not slowing down, but her focus is now on the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where she aims to retain her championship in the 200-meter event. But her ambitions don’t stop there. Her new goal—the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Gabby Thomas, now 27, proves that you don’t have to choose between academics and athletics. A 2019 Harvard graduate with a degree in neurobiology and global health, she’s also a recent public health master’s graduate from the University of Texas. Her recent Olympic success just goes to show that you can be at the top in both the classroom and on the track—Gabby truly does it all!