"Another Olympic team together"- Gabby Thomas expresses her gratitude towards coach Tonja Buford-Bailey as she gears up for quadrennial games in Paris

Gabby Thomas recently expressed her gratitude towards her coach Tonja Buford-Bailey following her qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Thomas will represent the U.S. track and field squad in the 200m event.

She earned the Olympic spot for Paris in the 200m after clocking a spectacular time of 21.81 seconds, leaving behind Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long, who registered 21.90 and 21.91 seconds, respectively.

Thomas will compete in her second Olympics. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Thomas clinched a silver medal in the 4x100m relay race. Further, the 27-year-old also bagged a bronze medal in the 200m, posting 21.87 seconds.

Thomas began training under Buford-Bailey after enrolling at the University of Texas to pursue her Master's Degree in epidemiology. She secured her previous Olympic glory under the guidance of the 1996 Atlanta Games bronze medalist, who commenced coaching at the University in 2013.

Thomas also secured two World Athletics Championship medals under Buford-Bailey. Following her recent feat at the Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, the former 400m hurdler expressed her excitement for her prodigy's success by sharing a few pictures and wrote:

"Oui oui, We are going to @paris2024 !!!!!!"

To which Thomas replied in the comments section:

"If we do anything it’s gonna be making some Olympic teams 😂 love you coach let’s get it."

Thomas reshared the picture on her Instagram story and voiced her contentment.

"Tonja Buford-Bailey fights for me and believes in me every single step of the way through every obstacle."

"Another Olympic team together, job's not finished," wrote Thomas.

Screenshot of Gabby Thomas' Instagram story.

"An amazing 200m final," - Gabby Thomas praises the 200m final lineup at the Olympic Trials

Gabby Thomas at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Gabby Thomas earned her Olympic quota after competing against a star-studded lineup, including the 2023 WAC gold medalist and the American sensation Sha'Carri Richardson, who missed the 200m qualification after settling for fourth place and receiving a yellow card for lane infringement.

Other elite athletes for the 200m Olympic spot along with Thomas included the 2022 WAC gold medalist Abby Steiner and Thomas' 2023 WAC 4x100m relay-winning teammate Tamara Clark. While speaking with Citius Mag following her victory, she acknowledged the fierce competition and said:

"An amazing 200m final. I didn't know who was going to make the team. I'm not surprised by who made the team but jeez I knew that I was going to have to bring it."

"I mean we had to fight for that. It was not an easy win but all the girls are such amazing contenders and competitors," Thomas added at 0:34.

Gabby Thomas will be seen competing against the Jamaican sensation Shericka Jackson, who posted an impressive time of 22.29 seconds at the Jamaican Trials.