Gabby Thomas has explained why the female sprint scene needs to take a page out of their male counterparts playbook.
Olympic champion Gabby Thomas has recently shared her thoughts on a unique dynamic she admires in male sprinters and wishes to see mirrored in women’s sport.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Running Effect podcast, Thomas highlighted the playful banter and camaraderie among male sprinters, suggesting that it adds an engaging element to the sport.
“I think the male sprinters have that type of messing-with-each-other mentality, and I think it is such a fun thing that I wish we could bring to women’s sport,” Thomas said.
She highlighted a similar trait in rival Sha’Carri Richardson that she admits has brought attention to female track stars.
Gabby Thomas has reflected on the dynamics of rivalry with fellow American sprint queen Sha’Carri Richardson.
“I think it’s fun and brings something more to sprinting. That’s why I say, like, all the Sha’Carri stuff… I mean, it’s not my style, but I think it’s fun, and it brings something to the sport.”
She continued to add that the female sprinters aren’t given as much leeway as their male counterparts when it comes to such things.
“I feel like they (male sprinters) do it all the time. They go to all these media days, messing with each other and poking fun. But as women in the sport, if we do that, we are villainized immediately.”
Thomas’s comments underscore a broader issue in sports, the double standards often applied to female athletes.
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Gabby Thomas has highlighted the importance of discipline over flashiness, using Noah Lyles as an example of true success.
While male sprinters like Noah Lyles, the face of male sprinters, who embodies the playful-banter nature of track often get away with their antics, female athletes engaging in similar behavior frequently face harsh scrutiny.
Lyles for instance, is known for his high-energy media appearances and lighthearted trash talk, which have become defining elements of his public persona. This not only entertains fans but also builds anticipation and excitement around races.
Thomas’s reflected on the need for female athletes to express themselves freely without fear of being misunderstood or judged.
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While playing games with the boss rarely happens, that is what Gabby Thomas and her team-mates were up to with coach Tonja Buford-Bailey, and the sprinter almost won thanks to one thing.
While Thomas noted that the playful banter seen in men’s sports isn’t her personal style, she expressed a genuine appreciation for its entertainment value and its ability to bring more visibility to the sport.
Her remarks come at a time when female sprinters like Richardson are already pushing boundaries, embracing boldness, and carving out space for self-expression in track and field.
