“I grew up loving track and my family has always been a huge track family and so if I can just run, run well, and make my grandfather and my dad proud, then I’m doing my job.” This heartfelt declaration that Gabby Thomas once made shows her source of inspiration- her family.

At 27, she’s achieved much success, holding the third-best time globally in the 200m third world-leading timing of 22.08 seconds in the 200m event this year. Recently, at the 2024 New York City Grand Prix, Thomas again proved her prowess, winning the 200m race with a time of 22.42 seconds on June 9. Despite her American nationality, Thomas remains deeply connected to her Jamaican roots.

“I do really love the fanbase in Jamaica. They’re so amazing and supportive. I make sure that everyone knows that I am Jamaican because I do believe that’s where I get my fast roots from.” But how is she connected to Jamaica?

Well, Gabby’s journey began in Atlanta, where her mother, Jennifer Randall, was chasing her academic ambitions. Jennifer, a scholarly figure, pursued her education, culminating in a Ph.D. from Emory University, following which she moved to Massachusetts in pursuit of her career. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Duke University and an MAT, she now works as a professor at the University of Michigan, after having served as an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts.

While Jennifer is American, Gabby Thomas’s father, Desmond Thomas, is from Jamaica. He was a former football player who attended Duke University. That’s how he met Jennifer. Unfortunately, they separated when Gabby was four.

The mother has a preference for watching sports on TV rather than in stadiums, appreciating the detailed replays and commentary that enhance the viewing experience, especially when it comes to seeing her child’s participation up close. On the other hand, Desmond keeps a low profile, and details about his career remain scarce.

Did you know that Gabby Thomas has a twin brother?

What does Gabby Thomas’ twin do?

Gabby Thomas has a twin brother named Andrew, who is now a graphic designer in Idaho. She also has three younger siblings: Desi, Tyler, and Kim (a total of 3 brothers and one sister). Thomas pursued her undergraduate degree in the sciences, fueled by her passion for neurobiology, which was inspired by two of her brothers.

“I have a twin brother with serious ADHD who was receiving neurofeedback therapy,” Thomas shared once. “My other younger brother has Asperger’s Syndrome. Both of my brothers drew me to neurobiology.”

Working in a lab at Boston Children’s Hospital and studying Rett syndrome, a form of autism, further solidified her interest. Alongside neurobiology, Thomas also developed interests in global health, particularly epidemiology and health policy, which equipped her to navigate Harvard’s liberal arts structure with a multidisciplinary approach.

It was at Harvard that she began winning accolades in track. She broke the NCAA indoor collegiate record in the women’s 200-meter. But her Tokyo Olympics achievements grabbed the most attention. In Tokyo, she won a bronze in the 200m race at Tokyo and a silver in the 4x100m relay. With that, she became the first Harvard graduate to win a track and field Olympic medal.