In a poignant social media post, Olympic champion Gabby Thomas took a trip down memory lane, sharing a nostalgic photo from her early track and field days. The 27-year-old sprinter, who has since become a dominant force in international athletics, reflected on her journey and the race that ignited her passion for the sport.
The image, posted on her Instagram story on June 7, 2025, shows a young Thomas in her debut year of track, dressed in a simple athletic outfit and radiating youthful enthusiasm. The caption reads, “my first year of track 😭,” accompanied by a tag to her friend, @lenagandev, hinting at the special memories and friendships forged during those formative years.
This reflective moment comes on the heels of Thomas’s recent performance at the Philadelphia Grand Slam Track event, where she secured second place in the 200m with a time of 22.10 seconds. Despite narrowly missing out on gold to fellow sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Thomas expressed gratitude and positivity, acknowledging the challenges of frequent competition and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook.
“Not the Slam results I hoped for, but when you race as often as I do, you can’t win ’em all,” Thomas shared on Instagram. “On the bright side, this is the best I’ve ever run at this point in the season!! Heading back home to continue training hard. I’m so, so grateful to everyone who continues to support me on my journey—win or lose, rain or shine. I love this sport so much and I’ll see you guys on the track very soon!!! P.S. Philly, you were absolutely incredible!!”
Thomas’s journey to Olympic stardom wasn’t always certain. Initially, she had little interest in running and was more focused on playing softball with friends. It was her mother who played a pivotal role in redirecting her path, signing her up for her first track practice—a decision that would unknowingly ignite a storied career.
The early years were challenging, and Thomas has been candid about the frustration she experienced, especially during middle school when she lacked motivation and didn’t feel connected to the sport. However, as she grew and poured herself into training, her passion followed. She began to thrive in the competitive world of sprinting, eventually mastering the 100m dash
