“They told me I had a tumor in my liver” - Gabby Thomas opens up on receiving concerning news and its impact ahead of Tokyo Olympics

Gabby Thomas has shared the story of her liver tumor diagnosis and how she felt even more determined to make the Olympic team if she survived the illness. She also expressed gratitude for the medical access she had as a global health student, surrounded by healthcare providers.

Having turned professional in 2018, Thomas was vying to make the Tokyo Olympic team in 2021, when she faced the hardest blow in the form of a liver tumor. As a healthcare student, the 22-time NCAA conference title winner was shocked when the results showed that the tumor wasn't benign even after she kept a healthy lifestyle as an elite athlete. She shared her journey with Mike Jackson in his podcast, "Why Not Me?":

"They told me that I had a tumor in my liver that didn't look good, it did not look benign. I'm a world class athlete, very very healthy, I take care of myself. I'm also like, I studied healthcare in school so I'm just like, everyone around me at this time was kind of freaking out a little." [39:56]

Thomas' health setback also strengthened her will to get back on track, make the Olympic team, and live life to the fullest if she survived the illness.

"I remember just being so terrified and thinking, 'Okay, if I come out of this just well, healthy, and I mean God bless, alive, that I'm going to make this Olympic team like nothing's going to stop me from living my life to the fullest.' I just thought, I am so grateful for my health, I'm so grateful for everything, I mean being in that situation put everything into perspective."

Gabby Thomas debuted at the 2020 Tokyo Games, winning the 200m and silver in the 4x100m relay event. She won three golds in her second Olympic appearance in Paris.

---

Gabby Thomas compares the 200m race to brain surgery

Gabby Thomas at the 2024 Athlos NYC - (Source: Getty)

Gabby Thomas headlined the 200m line-up at the 2024 Athlos NYC and finished in the runner-up position behind fellow Olympian Brittany Browns. During a video shoot with New Balance, Athlos asked the three-time Olympic gold medalist whether she could compare the 200m race with anything. As a global healthcare and neurobiology graduate, Thomas compared it with "brain surgery" considering the risk factors and the feeling of fulfillment in both.

"I would compare running the 200m like brain surgery. It is a very precise race. If you mess up even just a little bit, it can be detrimental to the entire race. It's very challenging, but, very very rewarding."

Thomas was a part of the gold-winning 4x100m relay team and won the 200m silver at the 2023 World Championships.