Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas has opened up about how her tumultous experience in college made her abandon her first passion for soccer to pursue a career in track.
Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas has revealed why she chose to leave her first love, soccer, to pursue track and field during her time at Harvard University.
The American sprinter recently opened up about this pivotal decision and how it shaped her career and personal growth in an interview with internet personality Kate Mackz.
“So, I did all the things, all the sports. Soccer was my first love, but I fell in love with running probably in college,” said Thomas.
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Gabby Thomas view of what it takes to triumph in track and field is also shared by Noah Lyles and Rai Benjamin.
Her journey through college athletics was far from smooth as she recalls having to navigate through moments of failure and setbacks.
“In college, I dealt with a lot of failures and a lot of setbacks, things that I didn’t have to deal with in high school or grade school. I feel like things came a little bit easier to me then,” she explained.
Thomas’s college experience challenged her in unexpected ways, pushing her to confront adversity head-on.
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“Being faced with that dilemma and those failures really made me grow and look inside myself. Then I realized, alright, I’m going to do this, get better, and become a better athlete and a better person for it,” she shared.
The transition wasn’t just about sports. She recalled feeling out of her depth in an environment filled with exceptionally talented and intelligent individuals.
“I was exposed to people who were just all-around better than me. There were people in the rooms that were smarter than me; they were more athletic than me. I just felt so defeated a lot of the time,” Thomas admitted.
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Gabby Thomas shares her journey of overcoming challenges, finding belonging among extraordinary individuals and excelling in both athletics and academics.
Despite these challenges, she credits her determination and resilience for helping her overcome self-doubt.
“Realizing that putting my head down and working hard meant I also belonged in those spaces, I proved that to myself,” she said.
“Trust the process and never give up. You will always have setbacks and hurdles in life. It’s about how you grow from them, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have losses.”
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Sha’Carri Richardson has shared a glimpse into her mindset ahead of an action packed 2025 season.
For Thomas her story is a powerful reminder that setbacks can lead to growth that can open doors to success. Her decision to embrace track and field has not only brought her to the pinnacle of athletic achievement but has also shaped her into the resilient individual she is today.
With five Olympics medals to her name, three of them gold from last year’s Paris Olympics games, the decision to pursue track and field seem to have paid off for the Olympian who is poised to chase more laurels in 2025 against the likes of Sha’Carri Richardson, Julien Alfred, Shericka Jackson and company.
