Gabby Thomas has previously shed light on why ‘beefs’ in track and field are more prevalent.
Gabby Thomas, one of the most celebrated athletes in track and field, has previously shed light on why rivalries, or ‘beefs,’ are more prevalent in the sport.
Speaking on a past episode of The Running Effect Podcast, Thomas explained the unique nature of track and field that fuels competitive tensions.
“I think everyone is different, but sprinters definitely have their own egos—it’s part of it,” Thomas said.
Gabby Thomas has explained why the female sprint scene needs to take a page out of their male counterparts playbook.
“Track is such a cutthroat sport because only one person can win, and it’s really man versus man. You’re just on the line against your competitors. People use that figuratively for every aspect of life, but in track, it’s literal.”
The nature of the sport, where athletes compete directly against each other in head-to-head races, creates an environment ripe for heightened emotions and rivalries. Thomas acknowledged that the intensity of these moments on the track often extends beyond the finish line.
“It can be pretty intense,” she admitted, alluding to the nature of track that makes it so fierce.
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Gabby Thomas has reflected on the dynamics of rivalry with fellow American sprint queen Sha’Carri Richardson.
“We definitely have friendships—like my teammates, the girls that I train with. Sometimes I’ll race them, but they’re like my sisters, and I love them. But when I’m on the line, it gets really competitive, and all I’m thinking about is how I’m going to beat the next person. Sometimes those attitudes can come off the track. It happens, and it’s fine,” she added.
The 200m Olympic champion emphasized that while these rivalries are a natural byproduct of the sport’s competitive atmosphere, she makes a conscious effort to focus on her own career. “Beefs happen, it is what it is,” she added with a sense of acceptance.
The insights shared by Thomas offer a glimpse into the high-stakes world of track and field, where the drive to win is paramount and rivalries are often inevitable.
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Gabby Thomas has highlighted the importance of discipline over flashiness, using Noah Lyles as an example of true success.
For athletes like Thomas, navigating this balance between competition and camaraderie is just part of the journey in one of the world’s most demanding sports.
The five-time Olympic medalist will be looking to build on her stellar 2024 campaign where she claimed three gold medals at the Paris Olympics in the 200m, 4×100 and 4x400m.
This season she is already signed to the inaugural Grand Slam Track, poised for showdown with the likes of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and will be eying the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championship in Septmber.
