"Not slowing down"- Gabby Thomas pens a heartfelt note after winning the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female Athlete of the Year Award

Gabby Thomas recently drafted a heartwarming note after receiving the 2024 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female Athlete of the Year Award. Thomas' exceptional achievements in 2024, including her Paris Olympics victory streak, made her worthy of the prestigious award.

The award ceremony was held at the 2024 Night of Legends on Saturday, December 7, 2024, in Orlando. By clinching three gold medals at the 2024 Paris Games, she became the most decorated American track and field athlete in the French capital.

In the 200m event, she defeated the 100m champion, Julien Alfred, and fellow teammate Brittany Brown. While Alfred and Brown posted 2.08 and 22.20 seconds, Thomas, who recently celebrated her 28th birthday, clocked a staggering time of 21.83 seconds to bag home her first Olympic medal.

Following the recent recognition, she expressed her gratitude towards USATF and her coach, Tonja Buford-Bailey, who presented her with the award. Thomas joined the Buford Bailey Track Club in Austin after turning professional in 2019.

"Jackie Joyner-Kersee female athlete of the year ✨ Thank you @usatf, and to my day one who presented me the award @baileytonja 🫶🏽 Humbled, honored, and not slowing down."

Buford-Bailey secured a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles event at the 1996 Atlanta Games. All of Thomas's Olympic medals were secured under Buford-Bailey's guidance.

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Gabby Thomas addresses young athletes after winning the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female Athlete of the Year Award

Gabby Thomas at the 38th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York City. (Photo by Getty Images)

After winning the 2024 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female Athlete of the Year Award, Gabby Thomas encouraged the young athletes to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.

She reminded them not to let others doubt them as they are capable of more than they think.

"To young girls and boys who might be watching, believe in yourself. When I was younger I had big dreams too. Dreams that often time scared me because I felt like they were too far away. But here's what I want you to know, you are capable of far more than you can imagine."

"The world will try to tell you to be realistic or to do things a certain way, or that certain things are not meant for you, don't listen. Your dreams, no matter how big they are, are valid."

Thomas secured two other gold medals with the team in the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events at the 2024 Paris Games.