Gabrielle Thomas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gabby Thomas

Thomas on July 25, 2024 in Paris
Personal information
Born	(1996-12-07) December 7, 1996 (age 28) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Education	Pace Academy Harvard University University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	Sprint
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals	2024 Paris 200 m, 1 Gold 4 × 100 m, 1 Gold 4 × 400 m, 1 Gold 2020 Tokyo 200 m, 3 Bronze 4 × 100 m, 2 Silver
Personal best(s)	100 m: 10.97 (Miami 2025) 200 m: 21.60 (Eugene 2023) 400 m: 49.14 (Kingston 2025) Long jump: 6.27 m (20 ft 6.72539370 in) (Palo Alto 2017) Indoors 60 m: 7.21i (Fayetteville 2021) 200 m: 22.38i (College Station 2018) 300 m: 35.73i (New York 2021)
Medal record Women's athletics Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2024 Paris 200 m Gold 2024 Paris 4 × 100 m relay Gold 2024 Paris 4 × 400 m relay Silver 2020 Tokyo 4 × 100 m relay Bronze 2020 Tokyo 200 m World Championships Gold 2023 Budapest 4 × 100 m relay Silver 2023 Budapest 200 m World Relays Gold 2024 Nassau 4 × 100 m relay Gold 2024 Nassau 4 × 400 m relay

Gabrielle Lisa Thomas (born December 7, 1996), known as Gabby Thomas, is an American track and field athlete. She is famous for her incredible speed in sprint races, especially the 100 and 200 meters. Gabby is the current Olympic champion in the 200-meter race.

She was born in Georgia and grew up in Massachusetts. Gabby ran track for Harvard University before becoming a professional athlete in 2018. She also has a special degree in epidemiology, which is the study of how diseases spread.

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Gabby won a bronze medal in the 200-meter race. She also earned a silver medal with her team in the 4 × 100-meter relay. In 2023, she won a silver medal in the 200 meters at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. She also helped Team USA win gold in the 4 × 100-meter relay at that event.

Gabby had an amazing performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. She won three gold medals! She won individually in the 200-meter race. She also won gold with her teammates in both the 4 × 100-meter and 4 × 400-meter relays. In the 4 × 400-meter relay, her team set a new American record.

Gabby Thomas: Her Early Life

Gabby Thomas was born on December 7, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia. Her mother, Jennifer Randall, is American, and her father, Desmond Thomas, is from Jamaica. Gabby also has a twin brother.

In 2007, her family moved to Massachusetts. Her mother became a teacher at the University of Massachusetts. Gabby's family settled in Florence. There, Gabby played softball and soccer. Later, she joined the track and field team at the Williston Northampton School.

Gabby was inspired to run by the famous athlete Allyson Felix. She remembered watching Felix race at her grandmother's house. During her four years in high school, Gabby set many school records. She was named the most valuable player every year.

Gabby's College and Studies

Gabby was recognized as a top track performer in the Ivy League in 2017 and 2018. This was a great start to her athletic journey.

She went to Harvard University for her undergraduate studies. There, she studied neurobiology and global health. In May 2023, Gabby earned her master's degree in public health. She studied epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Gabby is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Gabby's Professional Track Career

While at Harvard, Gabby won 22 conference titles over three years. She set new records for Harvard and the Ivy League in several races. These included the 100 meters, 200 meters, and the indoor 60 meters.

In October 2018, Gabby signed a contract with New Balance. She became a professional athlete, choosing not to use her last year of college eligibility. After Harvard, she moved to Austin, Texas. There, she trained with coach Tonja Buford-Bailey.

Thomas (left) at the 2020 US Olympic trials.

Her Journey to the Olympics in 2021

In 2021, Gabby faced a health scare. An MRI scan showed a tumor on her liver. Luckily, it turned out to be harmless.

She then represented the United States in the 200-meter race at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. These Olympics were held in 2021 because of a delay. At the U.S. Olympic trials on June 26, 2021, Gabby ran the 200 meters in 21.61 seconds. At that time, this was the second-fastest time ever recorded, only behind Florence Griffith-Joyner. Gabby was even surprised by her own speed! She said it changed how she saw herself as a runner.

On August 3, 2021, Gabby won a bronze medal in the Olympic 200-meter final. She finished behind Elaine Thompson-Herah and Christine Mboma. Three days later, Gabby helped the U.S. team win a silver medal in the 4 × 100-meter relay. Her teammates were Javianne Oliver, Teahna Daniels, and Jenna Prandini.

Competing in 2022

In March 2022, Gabby started her outdoor season at the Texas Relays. She had the fastest start to a 200-meter season ever for a female sprinter. She ran the 200 meters in 21.69 seconds. Just 45 minutes earlier, she won the 100 meters in 10.92 seconds.

Gabby missed qualifying for the 2022 World Athletics Championships in July. She tore her hamstring just weeks before the USATF Championships in June. She finished eighth in the 200-meter final.

Success in 2023

On April 29, 2023, Gabby set a personal best in the 400 meters. She ran it in 49.68 seconds. On July 9, 2023, Gabby became the US national champion for the women's 200-meter sprint.

On August 25, 2023, she won a silver medal in the 200 meters at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. She finished ahead of her U.S. teammate Sha'Carri Richardson. She also won a gold medal with Team USA in the 4 × 100-meter relay final. Her teammates were Tamari Davis, Twanisha Terry, and Sha'Carri Richardson. They set a championship record with their time of 41.03 seconds.

Olympic Glory in 2024

On June 29, 2024, Gabby qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. She won the U.S. Olympic Trials 200-meter race with a time of 21.81 seconds. She also won the 200 meters at a major pre-Olympic race in London on July 20.

At the Paris Olympics, Gabby won the gold medal in the 200-meter race with a time of 21.83 seconds. She also won gold medals with her teammates in the 4 × 100-meter relay and the 4 × 400-meter relay.

On September 26, 2024, she competed at the Athlos track meet in New York City. She finished second in the 200 meters. In November 2024, it was announced that Gabby would join the new Grand Slam Track league, started by Michael Johnson.

Gabby's Achievements

Gabby Thomas has won many medals and awards throughout her career.

International Medals

Gabby has represented the USA in many big competitions:

Representing the  United States

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Time	Notes
2019	World Relays	Yokohama, Japan	–	4 × 200 m relay	DQ
2021	Olympic Games	Tokyo, Japan	3rd	200 m	21.87	+0.8 m/s
			2nd	4 × 100 m relay	41.45	SB
2023	World Championships	Budapest, Hungary	2nd	200 m	21.81
			1st	4 × 100 m relay	41.03	CR
2024	World Relays	Nassau, Bahamas	1st	4 × 100 m relay	41.85	WL
			1st	4 × 400 m relay	3:21.70	WL
	Olympic Games	Paris, France	1st	200 m	21.83
			1st	4 × 100 m relay	41.78
			1st	4 × 400 m relay	3:15.27	AR

National Championships

Gabby has also performed well in national competitions in the USA:

Circuit Wins

Gabby has won several races in the Diamond League, which is a series of top track and field meetings:

• 2018 (200 m): Lausanne
• 2019 (200 m): Lausanne
• 2022 (200 m): Doha
• 2023 (200 m): Paris
• 2024 (200 m): London

Awards and Honors

Gabby Thomas has received special awards for her achievements:

• Night of Legends Award 2024: Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female Athlete of the Year
• Honorary Membership, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

See also

In Spanish: Gabrielle Thomas para niños