"I saw myself in Allyson Felix" - Gabby Thomas opens up on how legendary sprinter inspired her to achieve greatness

Paris Olympics medalist Gabby Thomas recently opened up on how legendary sprinter Allyson Felix motivated her to achieve glorious feats. Thomas held the former sprinter in the highest regard, highlighting her determination, discipline, and resilience.

Felix's track career has been nothing short of legendary. She is among the most decorated former American track and field athletes, bagging 11 Olympics and 20 World Championships medals. A year before bidding adieu to track in 2022, she clinched a gold medal with the American team in the 4x400m relay event at the Tokyo Games.

In an interview with Athlos, Thomas reflected on how the former Olympian inspired her growing up. Having been called "Chicken Legs" by her high school teammates, Thomas highlighted how Felix stood out and motivated her. The Paris Olympics gold medalist also emphasized Felix's efforts off the track, advocating maternity support for athletes.

Stating that Felix served as role model, Thomas said:

"Growing up, Allyson Felix did inspire me to run. I saw myself in Allyson. I saw a young black woman who was really skinny and looked little bit different than everyone else lining up on the line. She stood for more than just a sport and I saw someone who was really determined. I wanted to be that and I really saw myself in that."

Thomas added:

"Throughout my years of development I have kind of modeled myself after that. Working hard, getting to where you want to go. I saw her discipline. I saw her tenacity. And I think having role models like that to look up to, that brought me where I am today."

"I still never imagined that I would be quite in that exact position" - When Gabby Thomas opened up on repeating Allyson Felix's London Olympics victory at Paris 2024

Gabby Thomas at the Paris Olympics. (Image Source: Getty)

Gabby Thomas secured her first Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games after dominating the 200m event by surpassing the 100m champion Julien Alfred and her teammate Brittany Brown.

She became the first American woman to earn the feat since Allyson Felix at the 2012 London Olympics. Having secured the victory similar to her role model, Thomas expressed her immense pride in an interview with Olympics.com after the race.

“Being the first woman to win the 200m gold since Allyson Felix in 2012 is such a great feeling because I have looked up to her for so long, ever since I was a child,” Gabby Thomas said. “She’s such great representation, but I still never imagined that I would be quite in that exact position." (via Olympics.com)

Felix bagged the gold medal in London by defeating Jamaican great Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce.