Track and field is surely going through an off-season, but the dramas never end, do they? Recently, the sports world was shaken, but not in a good way. Gabby Thomas tried to defend Caitlin Clark after her controversial remarks. Bringing race dynamics into sports the moment she won the 2024 Time Athlete of the Year award. She also became the first-ever WNBA player to secure the accolade, but it was immediately overshadowed by her statements.

What specifically prompted the three-time Olympic champion to stand up for her friend during these difficult times? It was a social media post made by Riley Gaines that caught the attention of many. Where the swimmer was trying to bash the WNBA star. So, Thomas felt the responsibility to rush in and shut her down with a stern message before it escalated further. However, due to her comment, she also got entangled in a whole debate by fans.

Gabby Thomas defending her WNBA friend

“No one was asking for Caitlin Clark to position herself as a right-wing hero. All she needed to do was remain neutral. She’s a phenom who inspires countless young girls to play & achieve, so I still have great admiration for her, but she missed the mark on this one,“ Riley Gaines posted on her official X account, followed by Caitlin Clark’s statement following her 2024 Time Athlete of the Year award. The swimmer maintains no personal feud with the WNBA star, but she expressed a desire for her to find a middle ground when discussing the dynamics of race in the sport.

Gaines is known for her criticism of athletes, but this time Gabby Thomas wasn’t going to hold back. “Girl are you fr??? You don’t have to share your opinion on everything, just sit this one out,“ the three-time Olympic gold medalist stated, replying to the X post. It was evident that Thomas wanted the swimmer not to comment on the fiasco, as it would just create more turmoil among the fans. But all of these discussions eventually reached both the track and field and the WNBA communities. And they had different opinions on the whole controversy.

“Caitlin Clark shouldn’t need to apologize for being white,“ one X user who goes by Chris Majchrzak commented, to which Thomas replied, “Agreed. nor should she apologize for acknowledging the poc who came before her and played a significant role in building the league?“ Furthermore, another fan asked a similar question to the Olympian, to which she replied, “First of all she doesn’t ‘have‘ to do anything. The same way she doesn’t ‘have‘ to remain neutral. I didn’t say anything when she was neutral tbh, and I’m not going to criticize her now either but to ignore race dynamics in sport is just….sigh.”

Despite shielding her friend from the critics, she expressed her mixed feelings clearly about the situation. Many dynamics could have changed if Clark had used a different set of words to express her emotions. But Gabby Thomas stands by the points the WNBA made in her statement. She also clarified that she had no criticism for her friend. And she had no interest in contributing anything to his controversy. The Olympian did whatever she could to protect her friend from any kind of online hate. But what was the WNBA player’s statement that caused all of this turmoil out there?

Caitlin Clark accepting white privilege

Following a successful rookie season in the WNBA. Caitlin Clark had another accolade to her name, winning the 2024 Time Athlete of the Year. She became the first WNBA athlete to secure this accolade to her name. But she didn’t shy away from conveying her actual feelings when the spotlight was on her. “I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege,” said the Indiana Fever’s #22.

Clark acknowledged the privilege that contributed to her rise to fame and wanted to emphasize the impact that black players have in the scene, especially the ones who have established the sport to be one of the most popular ones out there. Apart from stressing about the history of the sport, the 22-year-old also made a candid confession towards the black players in the WNBA, stating, “A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them. The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.” 

The WNBA star’s message was simple. She didn’t want the whole spotlight to remain on her, but also on the other athletes in the sport. Especially those who are making their own mark and achieving greatness in their own way. Clark’s acknowledgment of her racial advantage was bold of her. But the humbleness she presented by crediting the black players who have made this league the way it is makes the actual difference.