“I remember thinking, ‘I just have to beat her to the 20-meter mark'," - When Gabby Thomas opened up on defeating legendary Alyson Felix

Gabby Thomas once opened up about defeating the legendary track and field athlete Allyson Felix. The American athlete, who recently stunned at the Paris Olympics, also stole the spotlight during the Tokyo Olympics.

Thomas qualified for the 200m dash at the US Olympic trials in 2020 by clocking a time of 21.61s; however, she didn't just clock 21.61s but also outdid the then nine-time Olympic medalist Allyson Felix. The former athlete ran past the latter and Jenna Prandini to secure her place in the Tokyo Olympics. Following this win, Thomas became the second-fastest woman in 200m history behind Florence Griffith-Joyner.

After making her way to the 2020 Summer Games, Thomas sat down in a conversation with Boston.com and opened up about defeating Felix. She said that it was "insane" for her to have the legendary athlete standing in the next lane and thought that it was "crazy" that she was thinking of defeating her.

"Having her in the lane right outside of me was insane," Thomas said. "I remember thinking, 'I just have to beat her to the 20-meter mark,' and it was crazy that I was saying that about Allyson Felix."

After besting Felix, Thomas' goals leveled up from hoping to make the Olympic team to win an Olympic medal. She added:

"That day went from, 'I really hope I can make an Olympic team' to 'Wow, I can't believe I just ran that fast. and then I really want to medal in the Olympics.'"

Gabby Thomas won a bronze medal in the 200m race at the Tokyo Olympics while Jamaican athlete Eliane Thompson-Herah won the gold medal. The American athlete also secured a silver in the 4x100m relay race.

Years after her 2020 Summer Games achievement, Thomas dominated at the Paris Olympics with three gold medals. She stood atop the podium in the 200m, 4x100m relay, and 4x400m relay races.

Gabby Thomas opened up about her Paris Olympics 200m triumph

Gabby Thomas proved her prospect as a formidable athlete by winning three golds at the Paris Olympics. She clinched her first gold in the 200m, where she clocked 21.83s and ended the 12-year-long drought for US women. The last win before this was nabbed by Allyson Felix in the 2012 London Games.

In Paris, the 27-year-old bested Julien Alfred and Brittany Brown, who posted 22.08s and 22.20s, respectively. Following this, Thomas reflected on her win, exuding excitement over winning the gold medal. ( as quoted by The Hindu)

"It's indescribable, I'm so excited. If I didn't get this gold medal today, I don't know what I would have done," said Thomas. "I’m really in disbelief because having an Olympic gold medal is something in my wildest dreams. But at the same time I know how hard I’ve fought for it."

She added:

"This has been six years in the making, head down, working hard, going to really hard meets, pushing yourself, and now it's here and I've done it. This is the happiest moment of my life."

Gabby Thomas' next and last meet will be the Athlos NYC meeting, founded by Alexis Ohanian, which is slated to be held on September 26, 2024. She will be competing in the 200m dash.