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USA Olympic Star Gabby Thomas Reacts to Comparisons to Wonder Woman and FloJo

Published 08/30/2021, 9:55 AM EDT

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Gabby Thomas clinched two medals for Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Coming from a country that has produced Olympic legends like Florence Griffith-Joyner and Allyson Felix, Thomas has continued the legacy. At the US Olympic trials, she clocked the world’s second-fastest time in 200m.

Olympic legend Florence Griffith-Joyner still holds the world record in the 100m and 200m races. Florence’s time is unbroken since 1988.

Gabby Thomas takes inspiration from Olympic legend Florence Griffith-Joyne

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Even after decades, Florence Griffith is the sprinting queen. Interestingly, it is not just her blazing speed but also her appearance on the field that is still admired by people.

From her clothes to her nails, Florence loved to use fashion as a part of her performance strategy. Subsequently, her style and the way she carried herself in bold clothes have inspired many women athletes to not think of fashion as a distraction.

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Inspired by Florence, Young Gabby defeated Olympic champion Shelly-Ann to win the bronze medal in the 200m race. After her stunning victory at the mega-quadrennial games, fans compared Gabby’s style to Wonder Woman and Florence Griffith-Joyner.

Florence Griffith’s iconic flamboyance inspired her. In conversation with The Undefeated, Thomas talked about her inspiration from the American sprinting star.

Gabby said,“I think one of the most empowering parts of being a female athlete is that we do have this creative opportunity to showcase ourselves in our own way, whether that’s makeup, hair, nails, how we wear our uniforms,”

She further added, “I am inspired by Flo-Jo’s appearance. I think she used her appearance to empower female athletes and to empower herself, and I admire that.

Gabby’s journey from Harvard to Olympic track

Thomas Gabby is a graduate and former Harvard student. She even competed in the 100m, 200m, long jump, and triple jumper events at the University. In 2017 and 2018, she became the Ivy League’s Most Outstanding Track Performer.

At Harvard, the Olympic medalist majored in neurobiology and global health. However, it was after completing her graduate degree; she shifted her focus to her athletic journey consistently. Consequently, she joined the Buford-Bailey Track Club. Olympic bronze medalist Tonja Buford-Bailey found the club.

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After her Tokyo Olympics 2020 achievement, she became the first graduate from Harvard to clinch an Olympic medal. Although, in 1896, a triple jump athlete clinched a medal, but he never graduated from Harvard.

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Gabby is an inspiration for youngsters to balance academic and sports life. Notably, she is now pursuing her masters in epidemiology and health care management from the University of Texas.

Elaine Thompson-Herah Believes Rivalry With Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Will ‘Motivate’ Her to Break FloJo’s World Record

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Written by:

Shreya Verma

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Shreya Verma is an NBA and Tennis Author at EssentiallySports. A graduate of Political Science, Shreya comes from a strong sports background. A professional 10m air pistol shooter, Shreya is also a tennis enthusiast.
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