"Caitlin Clark was so shocked" - Gabby Thomas explains how she and Simone Biles surprised Indiana Fever in their locker room

Gabby Thomas and Simone Biles surprised the Indiana Fever team after their win against Connecticut Sun. It was the same game in which Caitlin Clark broke the record for most three-pointers by a rookie in the WNBA, and upon her entry in the locker room, Thomas claimed the point guard was shocked to see her and Biles there.

Both Thomas and Biles were in spectacular form through the 2024 season, winning three gold medals each at the 2024 Paris Olympics. While the American sprinter won medals in 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m relay events, Biles won the women's team, all-around and vault competitions.

The two Olympians were spotted together at the Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun game a few weeks after the conclusion of the Olympics, marking their first experience of watching a WNBA game live. They surprised the Fever squad after the game in their locker room.

Speaking with NBC in a recent interview, Thomas revealed she and Biles were hiding next to their locker room, which took the squad by surprise.

"We were hiding next to their locker room and waiting for them to run out. The entire team was floored and Caitlin was so shocked," she said

She also added:

"It's so fun to see the support and excitement that athletes have for one another."

Biles had expressed her happiness on X after attending her first WNBA game, writing:

"EVERYONE WATCHES WOMENS SPORTS 🫶🏾 so happy to be able to go support! my first of many WNBA games🤞🏾."

Gabby Thomas plays pivotal role in uplifting female sprinters

Athlos NYC - Gabby Thomas pictured ahead of the inaugural event (Source: Getty)

While track and field has very minimal disparity in women's sports compared to other fields, there still wasn't a separate competition for female sprinters before 2024 and Gabby Thomas has played a pivotal role in changing that.

The Olympic champion partnered with legendary tennis player Serena Williams' husband and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian to launch Athlos NYC, a women's only track league that offered the highest prize money available in athletics.

"I am excited to partner with forward-thinking organizations like 776 that share our vision for advancing women’s track. Through this investment, we hope to not only provide athletes with the resources and visibility they need to have enduring careers but also to inspire fans worldwide with a reinvented format to experience the best of our sport," Gabby Thomas said at the launch of the event (via Sportico)

Initially named 776 Invitational, Athlos NYC held its inaugural event in September, where Thomas placed second in the 200m race.