2024 has been Gabby Thomas’ year in the 200-meter event. After comfortably making the Olympic team during the Trials, Thomas unleashed herself on the grandest stage in the world. While the 28-year-old was already among the favorites to win the 200-meter event, she smashed expectations, winning not just three Olympic golds. It was the ultimate reply to the doubters.

However, while Thomas has avoided interacting with negative people online, she didn’t practice restraint after the Paris Olympics. Thomas revealed how she clapped back to one of her haters on X in Kate Mackz’s latest YouTube video: 2 Miles with Olympic Sprinter Gabby Thomas. However, the duo also discussed that having haters may not be all bad.

Gabby Thomas let actions speak louder before putting things into words

During the duo’s unique conversation while running two miles, Thomas brought up her post on X. “I’m crashing on Twitter right now,” said Thomas while running. When Mackz inquired what exactly was going on, the Olympian explained, “Oh! Just a lot of haters on Twitter. So usually I bite my tongue and ignore it, but this time I decided to clap back.”

Gabby Thomas didn’t elaborate on what she wrote. However, a pop-up during the video disclosed exactly what the athlete had written. Thomas reposted a fan’s mean comment on her ability from before the Olympics. “Something about Gabby Thomas just makes me not wanna see her medal at the Olympics… I just can’t put my finger on it!” read the post.

However, the Harvard alum didn’t let it slide. “I meant to come back to this, I almost forgot…” wrote the three-time Olympic gold medalist in Paris. However, Mackz was amazed to find that despite such success, the former World Champion still had haters. “The people that are trolling you will never achieve what you have achieved,” added Kate Mackz.

However, Gabby Thomas chose to see it differently. While she agreed with the YouTuber’s take, the 200-meter specialist also explained how having a hater, despite the accolades, is also a measure of success. “‘You know you made it when you get haters,’ cause people are just always going to say something if you’re doing something big and important,” explained Thomas. Although Thomas seemed unbothered by the haters, she had to overcome some mental barriers to gain that confidence.

The 200-meter champion had a lot more success than just winning Olympic golds

For a long time, Gabby Thomas remained timid despite having immense talent. Whether it was the Georgia-born athlete’s academic excellence that took her to Harvard or their sprinter’s talent on the track, Thomas’ lack of confidence held the track and field star back. “Running track in college, there were many times where I thought I would quit,” Thomas told reporters after winning gold.

“When I went pro, growing pains of joining a professional training group are real, there are a lot of egos, I didn’t think that I was going to be cut out for it,” Gabby Thomas said in Paris. However, the five-time Olympic medalist persevered and found her stride. Unfortunately for the doubters, today Thomas is no longer a timing athlete, nor are the Olympic medals her only milestone of success.

The world’s fastest epidemiologist’s three golds were far from the only achievements in 2024. Thomas’ 21.78 second season best put the sprinter on the #1 in the World Athletics 2024 fastest 200-meter sprinters (women) list. As if that wasn’t enough, the athlete worked closely with Alexis Ohanian to organize the race in the highest-paid women’s track event in history.

While the Olympic champion took home $25,000 from the race, winner Brittany Brown took home $60,000 for winning the 200-meter race. However, Thomas also reportedly earned $150,000 throughout the season. Entering 2025, Gabby Thomas hopes to continue keeping the doubters in the rearview mirror as she strives to do even better.