Gabby Thomas isn’t your typical American Olympian. This Atlanta-born and raised in Florence, Massachusetts, native is a Track-and-field star, has a master in public health, and is also a dog mom.
Gabby Thomas graduated from Harvard University in 2019 with a degree in neurobiology and global health.
She followed up with her Master’s Degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.
At the just-ended Paris Olympics, Thomas won her first gold medal at the 2024 Olympics for the 200-meter sprint, finishing with an impressive time of 21.83 seconds.
Gabby said she “never would have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would become an Olympic gold medalist, and I am one. I’m still wrapping my head around that.”
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This isn’t Thomas’ first medal on the global stage. She has also earned a silver medal in Budapest, Hungary, at the 2023 World Championships, and ahead of the Paris Olympics, she won the 2024 London Diamond League, running a time of 21.82 seconds.
In 2021, she earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, making history as the first Harvard women’s track alum to win a medal.
Thomas’ track record in her sport is impressive, and she told NBC News she hopes to be an inspiration to young girls that they can pursue their interests on and off the field.
Gabby Thomas is said to train three to six hours a day. Gabby stated in an interview with NBC News that:
You prepare for this moment and train so hard for this moment, but when it actually comes, it’s indescribable.”
Thomas also volunteers at a clinic in Austin, Texas, for people who don’t have health insurance.
She leads a hypertension program there and told NBC News she ultimately dreams of running a hospital or a nonprofit to expand access to healthcare.
Inspirational Role Model
In a press conference after the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gabby stated that:
Her overarching goal is to open her own hospital or nonprofit to make healthcare more accessible.
“I want to inspire the youth to continue to find their passions and be successful. I want young girls to look at us as strong female athletes and feel like they can do it too,” “I want them to feel like they’re encouraged to go into professional sports. I want them to feel encouraged to pursue their dreams, no matter how big or small. I hope when they look at me and see what I do, they’re inspired to work hard. They’re inspired to be kind to people and to give back to their communities when they can, and if I can leave that message with the world, then I’ve done my job.”
Gabby Thomas is estimated to be worth close to $5 million coming from her brand endorsements and track earnings.
She has deals with New Balance, HOTSHOT, Eli Lilly and Company, Lenovo, Nulo, Whoop, and Skims.
