"Used to beat little boys on the playground"- Gabby Thomas weighs in on the moment she realized that she was 'really fast'

Gabby Thomas revealed that beating boys in sprint races in the playground strengthened her belief that she was fast. She also shared how winning her first NCAA title in her junior year of college built her confidence in competing with the fastest runners.

Gabby Thomas competed in her second edition of the Olympics in Paris, winning gold in two relay events (4x100m and 4x400m) along with the 200m. After her resounding success in the Olympics, the 27-year-old graced the inaugutal edition of Athlos NYC. However, she couldn't run past fellow US sprinter Brittany Brown, who touched the finish line in 22.18s.

In a recent conversation with Athlos, Thomas recalled beating boys in the playground in her younger days, which made her realize how fast she could run. The 27-year-old also talked about clocking blistering speeds in her junior year in college.

"I have always known that I was fast, just because I always used to beat the little boys on the playground. But I realized that I was really fast my junior of college. I had to have been 20 years old when I won my first NCAA title. And I realized that I could run with the fastest women in the world," she said.

In an interview with the Guardian, Thomas shared how she picks up on tiny clues to better her race and discusses her approaches with her coach.

"I am very type A and into analysing how I run. I’ll talk to my coach about it over and over again....the drive phase, in particular, is something we practise over and over again, meticulously. It’s very, very technical but it sets you up for the entire race," she stated.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist was part of the 4x100m gold-winning relay team at the 2023 World Championships, where she also won the 200m silver.

Gabby Thomas on competing at the 2028 LA Olympics

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

In an interview with Olympics.com, Gabby Thomas hinted at participating at the 2028 LA Olympics, which would be her third appearance at the sporting event. The 27-year-old said that competing in her home country would be an honor for her.

"It is incredible that the next Olympic Games are on home soil. I cannot wait to be able to represent our country at home. It’s been so much fun to do it here in Paris, but to be able to compete for your country, in the country, in LA, is going to be such an amazing feeling."

She added:

“I know we’ll have so much pride and people will be so excited to be there and celebrate us. It’s hard not to look ahead… but I’m definitely looking forward to that.”

Besides aiming for Florencr Griffith Joyner's world record, Gabby Thomas shared that she draws inspiration from former US sprinter, Allyson Felix.