‘I Was Ready’: Gabby Thomas Reveals Training Advantage That Helped Beat Julien Alfred During Paris Olympics

‘I Was Ready’: Gabby Thomas Reveals Training Edge That Helped Defeat Julien Alfred and More at Paris Olympics

Gabby Thomas isn’t just about winning races; her journey to success is built on deep mental preparation, which goes far beyond what fans see on the track. During the Paris Olympics, Thomas lined up for the 200m finals amidst a crowd of nearly 80,000 spectators. But rather than letting the noise and competition distract her, Gabby relied on years of mental discipline, developed well before that defining moment. As she explains, “It cannot be that moment where you say, ‘I wanna dial in and focus it; it just can’t be that moment.’”

Her focus has been honed over years through mindfulness and meditation, training her mind just as rigorously as her body. Acknowledging the intense pressure of Olympic competition, Thomas admits that such high-stakes moments can be overwhelming. But her approach to handling it? Concentrate on her own lane, an approach that gave her the edge against formidable competitors like Julien Alfred and Dina Asher-Smith.

In the 200m race, Thomas went head-to-head with her rivals in the early meters, but as she rounded the bend, she surged ahead and never looked back. She crossed the finish line in 21.83 seconds, claiming Olympic gold, while Alfred earned silver at 22.08, and Brittany Brown took bronze at 22.20.

Gabby credits much of her resilience and drive to her mother, Jennifer Randall, who overcame significant challenges growing up in Mobile, Alabama, as one of eight or nine siblings. Jennifer’s determination to pursue a Ph.D. at Emory University while raising young twins taught Gabby the importance of grit. Gabby says, “I’m going to grind; that was my normal because that’s what I saw growing up—I saw a single mom doing that with twins.”

Beyond meditation, Gabby has other tools to help her stay focused, like her go-to music for a quick confidence boost. Her favorite? Megan Thee Stallion’s “Wanna Be,” which keeps her in the groove and brings an added spark to her performance on the track. With a blend of mental toughness, familial inspiration, and even a bit of main-character energy, Gabby Thomas continues to carve her legacy, proving that success is as much a mindset as it is physical achievement.