SAINT-DENIS, France — No star has been born in the realm of American track and field. This is more of a blossoming.
Gabby Thomas has methodically and consistently become an Olympic champion. If she seems like an ideal star, it’s because she has marinated and slow-cooked to perfection. This moment has been prepared with attention to detail and dedication.
She knows who she is and who she wants to be. She knows why she’s here. She knows what she wants to do. She’s worked hard and maximized her talent. She’s gained experience. She’s been patient, waited her time, didn’t skip steps.
At the Stade de France, in front of a jubilant crowd at Tuesday’s evening drinks, it all came together for Thomas as she took the gold medal in the women’s 200m final, climbing a mountain she’s been climbing for years in a time of 21.82.
Gabrielle Lisa Thomas will no longer be overlooked. Her connection to the best American job will no longer be denied.
It was always likely that Thomas would have to have the best race of his life to become Olympic champion. Even without Jamaican star Shericka Jackson, who was closing in on Florence Griffith-Joyner’s world record but withdrew from the race, Thomas’ gold medal represented a new level of spectacular achievement.
Saint Lucia’s 100m champion Julien Alfred was still in the field. Britain’s Daryll Neita and Dina Asher-Smith were still in the field. And that’s without even mentioning America’s own sleepers in Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long.
Gabby Thomas celebrates her victory in the women’s 200 meters by ringing the bell. (Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
She defeated them all, including Alfred, who won silver.
But if anyone could muster something extra, it was Thomas, America’s class in the 200 meters. She had experience on big stages, having won bronze in the event at the Tokyo Games and silver at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. She was on her way to gold.
At 27, she is at her most athletic and this is reflected in her consistent form, smooth cornering and high top speed.
GO DEEPER
Olympic 200m favourite Gabby Thomas is firmly in the spotlight – and ready for it
In fact, Thomas is up for a fight. She’s a fighter.
It’s not the first impression she gives. She knows people see her beautiful face and friendly smile, hear about her Harvard education, her passion for health equity, and assume she’s not a beast. They underestimate her toughness.
Thomas loves to disrupt that perception.
Off the track, she’s as marketable as they come, no matter how much she’s willing to be taken advantage of. With her diverse interests and talents, and an inspiring story, she’s an easy recommender for brands like New Balance and Sephora, and now she’s the face of Alexis Ohanian’s new women’s track event ATHLOS.
On the track, Thomas is a pest. She’s fast enough to attack the first 100 meters, while the speed demons might want to conserve some energy. And she’s strong enough to have enough in the tank to step it up on the straight. She comes out of the corners with the intent to destroy, those long strides eating up the track. Her top speed can’t match that of the 100-meter sprinters. But the 200 is about speed and endurance. It’s about how long you can be fast.
Thomas had to fight for this. But she was ready. She was groomed. Now she’s a champion. America has a new track superstar.
Required reading
(Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
