Gabrielle “Gabby” Thomas raced to victory in the women’s 200-meter sprint at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Harvard graduate clinched her first individual Olympic gold medal with a stunning performance at the Stade de France stadium on Tuesday.
Thomas clocked an impressive time of 21.83 seconds, outpacing her competitors. St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred took silver with 22.08 seconds, while Team USA’s Brittany Brown secured bronze, finishing in 22.20 seconds.
Black Girl Magic Shines on Olympic Podium
The 200-meter race showcased another display of Black Girl Magic on the winners’ podium. Team USA bookended the top three with gold and bronze medals, while St. Lucia celebrated Alfred’s silver.
This victory marks the first time since 2012 that the United States has claimed gold in this event. The last American to do so was Allyson Felix at the London Olympics.
From Harvard to Olympic Stardom: Gabby’s Journey
Thomas’s path to Olympic glory began during her junior year of high school in Massachusetts. It was then that she started focusing seriously on track and field.
Harvard recruited Thomas for multiple events, including the 100m, 200m, long jump, and triple jump. Her talent shone through in 2018 when she clinched the NCAA title for the 200-meter sprint.
Academic Excellence Meets Athletic Prowess
After graduating from Harvard, Thomas didn’t slow down. She moved to Austin, Texas, to train for the Tokyo Olympics while pursuing higher education.
In 2023, Thomas earned her master’s degree from the University of Texas. Her research focused on racial disparities in sleep epidemiology, showcasing her commitment to both academic and athletic excellence.
A Rising Star in Track and Field
Thomas entered the Paris Olympics as a favorite to win gold. Her qualifying time of 21.61 seconds during the 2021 trials is second only to track legend Florence Griffith Joyner.
This gold medal adds to Thomas’s growing collection of Olympic hardware. She previously won bronze in the 200m and silver in the 4×100 relay at the Tokyo Games.
Team USA Dominates Track and Field
With Thomas’s victory, the United States has now secured five gold medals in track and field at the Paris Olympics. This puts them far ahead of other nations, with no other country claiming more than two golds in the sport.
Overall, Team USA has amassed an impressive 16 medals in track and field events. Kenya and Jamaica are tied for second place with four medals each.
What’s Next for Gabby Thomas?
Fans can look forward to seeing more of Thomas on the track this week. She’s set to run alongside Sha’Carri Richardson in the 4×100 relay on Friday.
There’s also a possibility that Thomas will compete in the 4×400 relay final on Saturday, giving her another shot at Olympic glory.
Gabby Thomas becomes the first Team USA track athlete since Allyson Felix in 2012 to secure 200m gold!
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2024#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/wAvBUnsXxI
