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Gabby Thomas has explained how accidentally watching Allyson Felix racing on TV gradually fueled her journey towards wanting to become an Olympic great herself.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas has quickly become one of the most exciting talents in track and field, often drawing comparisons to the legendary Allyson Felix.
With a skill set that mirrors Felix's versatility, Thomas’ performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she claimed gold in the 200m and both the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays, have established her as a worthy successor to the iconic sprinter.
Allyson Felix, the most decorated American track and field athlete, retired in 2022 after a career spanning nearly two decades, during which she secured seven Olympic gold medals and 14 world titles.
Known for her prowess in the 200m and 400m events, as well as her brilliance in both relay disciplines, Felix’s name became synonymous with excellence and dominance.
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12:42 - 15.08.2024
Gabby Thomas reveals advise from mentor Allyson Felix that propelled her to 200m victory at Paris Olympics
Gabby Thomas has opened up on the advice she got from her mentor Allyson Felix which contributed to her win in the women's 200m final at the Paris Olympics.
Gabby Thomas, however, never set out to be the next Allyson Felix. In a recent interview, she reflected on the early days when Felix first caught her eye, not as an inspiration to become a professional athlete, but simply as a powerful example of female athleticism.
Thomas recalled the moment her mother urged her to watch Felix on television during the Olympic trials on The Running Effect.
“My mom had told me to turn it on. I was in Alabama at my great-grandmother's house... I turn it on, I see Allyson Felix, I did not know who she was at the time... But I saw her. She had really long legs, and she looked excellent and was crushing it and was this really empowering female athlete.”
At that time, Thomas wasn’t thinking about a career in professional track, let alone imagining racing against Felix.
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14:08 - 09.08.2024
American sprint icon Michael Johnson on how incredibly similar Gabby Thomas is to Allyson Felix
Gabby Thomas is the new 200 meter champion at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic games, and Michael Johnson has now revealed how similar she is to the legendary Allyson Felix.
Yet, seeing Felix instilled a confidence in her that stayed with her over the years. “It’s something that goes in your subconscious like ‘now I see someone who is a female athlete who is very powerful and succeeding,’ and you kind of internalise that,” she explained.
Despite these early influences, Thomas never saw herself pursuing professional track and field straight away. As a high school student, she was more focused on academics, striving for good grades and participating in sports without the pressure of career ambitions.
However, when the time came for her to compete against Felix, it felt like a surreal full-circle moment.
“When I started racing against her, that was a surreal moment because it brought me back to that moment from years ago when I was watching her on TV,” Thomas shared. “Someone might be turning on their TV and watching me running and they’re like, ‘Oh look at her, she reminds me of you.’ That was a very surreal moment for me.”
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17:15 - 23.09.2024
Is Sha'Carri Richardson actually faster than Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe? 3D simulation puts theory to the test
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Thomas acknowledges the weight of comparisons to Felix but insists that her journey wasn’t driven by a desire to replicate the track star’s success. “It wasn’t about me being like ‘Oh my God, I want to be the next Allyson Felix.’ It was me having this innate desire to just work really hard and... when I have a goal and dream, it’s just going after it and getting there.”
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