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Gabby Thomas opens up about the challenges of adjusting to the competitive and sometimes unfriendly professional track environment after college while emphasizing the importance of self-belief, representation, and her drive to inspire others.
Gabby Thomas has opened up about the struggles she faced after turning professional immediately after completing her collegiate studies.
The triple world champion told Guardian Sport about how unwelcoming she found the environment. Gabby Thomas explained that she took time to adjust and understand that rivalry was what made some people enemies and why the environment was not that pleasant at first.
However, she learnt how to cope by minding her own business, highlighting the fact that some athletes prefer to maintain their rivalry with others always striving to maintain friendships, especially with their training mates.
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06:00 - 27.09.2024
'Let’s get loud and extra!'- Noah Lyles on how Athlos can improve in future editions
Triple world champion Noah Lyles praised Alexis Ohanian’s women-only Athlos event but suggested one thing to be included in future editions.
“When I first came on to the scene after college, I was a little bit shocked by how catty, divided and dramatic a lot of the environment could be. But it’s also a competition, so I understand that,” Gabby Thomas said.
“I’d say a third of people grew up running together, or are in a training group, so they’re friends. A third of people really don’t like each other, and that’s just the nature of sports. And then a third just mind their own business and go their own way,” she added.
Gabby Thomas added that she always sees herself as something bigger than just being a track athlete. She explained that her major goal is to show everyone that despite their background, they can be anything.
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05:10 - 27.09.2024
Faith Kipyegon claims victory at Alexis Ohanian's Athlos as Mary Moraa secures second place
Kenyan duo Faith Kipyegon and Mary Moraa secured victory and second place in the 1500m and 800m events respectively at the women-only track and field event at Athlos NYC 2024.
The world 200m silver medallist added that her mother, Jennifer Randall played a huge role in her upbringing and she was proof that anything in possible.
“It’s important for me to show by example. I love representing myself as an African American woman and I want to show young people that they can be who they want to be. That you can go to Harvard. That you can win an Olympic medal,” Thomas shared.
“She’s a go-getter. She grew up in true poverty in Mobile, Alabama. But she went after it. And she just showed me through her actions, what it was like to do the same. We were low-income and African American.
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20:53 - 26.09.2024
'Things are going to happen'- Athing Mu predicts challenging 800m journey in the coming years
Former Olympic champion Athing Mu aims to reshape 800m running over the next decade, embracing challenges to become a stronger athlete despite recent setbacks, including missing the chance to defend her Olympic title.
“But my mum was trying to set us up to be successful, which meant we were in predominantly white spaces, going to good schools on scholarship. That put that underdog mentality in me where I felt like I needed to prove that I belonged in every space that I was in. Because I just didn’t feel like I did.”
Before going for races, Gabby Thomas explained that she is a huge visualiser of success and before all her races, she loves thinking about her victory. She noted that the more she thinks about winning, the more she convinces her mind that the victory is hers.
“Essentially, if you think about it enough and the mind starts believing it’s true, then the body does as well. The mind is really powerful. It’s insane how you can trick your brain into doing things and how your body follows,” she added.
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