EUGENE, OREGON - JUNE 24: Gabby Thomas reacts after competing in the first round of the Women's 200 Meter Dash on day seven of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 24, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon.
There are very few people who can say they've earned a degree from Harvard University. There are also very few people who can say they've competed at the Summer Olympic Games. Next month, Gabby Thomas will be able to say she's done both. This week, the 24-year-old phenom set herself apart from the competition at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Beaverton, Oregon by running the 200-meter dash in just 21.98 seconds.
“It’s surreal,” she said after finishing first in her heat at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Thomas did not only capture first prize at the U.S. Olympic Trials, but she also ran the world's fastest 200-meter dash this year. Her blazing fast time only proved to be more impressive when considering her recent string of medical concerns. Just a few weeks ago, she questioned if she would even be able to run in Beaverton due to a nagging hamstring injury. Then, an MRI revealed that there was a tumor on her liver. Thankfully, the hamstring healed and the tumor turned out to be benign. Despite all that has happened in the past few weeks, the former Jackie Robinson Foundation scholar had no doubt that she would pull through with the win and put herself in a great position to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
“I’m not surprised but it’s a great feeling,” she said about her performance.
“Especially at the Trials.”
Thomas was not the only track star to compete in the 200-meter dash on Thursday in Oregon. Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix finished third in her heat on Thursday. She finished with a time of 22.56 seconds and will run in the semi-finals on Friday. If both advance, Felix and Thomas will meet in the final heat on Saturday night in Oregon.
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