How does it feel to race so hard that you “black out”? Gabby Thomas described her recent 200m victory as a blur, saying, “I actually blacked out for the race.” This stunning performance marked her redemption by beating Julien Alfred, who had previously defeated Sha’Carri Richardson in the 100m. When Richardson skipped the 200m at the Paris Olympics, Thomas stepped up to take first place for Team USA.

She achieved a near-record 23.29 sprint and won 200m at the U.S. Olympic trials in June. This performance proved she’s in peak form. NFL legend Shannon Sharpe has noted, urging Team USA to make a bold move by including Thomas in the relay team. Will Thomas’s triumph and Sharpe’s call for action propel Team USA to new heights?

Shannon Sharpe advises inclusion of Gabby Thomas in 4×100 relay after key win

On the Nightcap podcast on YouTube, Shannon Sharpe praised Gabby Thomas’s inclusion in the team. He highlighted the importance of high-altitude training at the Olympic Training Facility in Colorado Springs, which sits at over 7,000 feet. Sharpe said, “They’re running, they’re sleeping that’s why they go to where is the Olympic.” He went on to say, “Gabby Thomas wins gold in the 200 meters with a time of the first American since Allison Felix did it in 2012.” He noted that Julian Alfred from St. Lucia got the silver and Britney Brown of the US earned the bronze. Sharpe emphasized the dedication and hard work of the athletes.

Continuing his remarks, he added, “Thomas, who’s 27, is one of the biggest stars in the sport. She has yet to claim a gold medal; she took the bronze in the event in Tokyo.” Sharpe stressed that Gabby’s expertise in the 400m event means there is a high chance that she will bag gold for the USA team by saying, “Because she’s so good. I’m not. I don’t know if the 400 is her expertise or her race, but yeah, she thought about moving up. Listen, I would put on the first leg just to open up everything. Just open it up. They get the US a lead there.” Also, by competing in both the 100m and 200m, Gabby Thomas is the only woman in the Olympic competition permitted to do so.

“Gabby is a dog and she will fight, so even if that’s not her specialty, it is her specialty,” he said, emphasizing her determination and versatility. Sharpe stressed how Thomas successfully left top Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson and Namibia’s Christine Mboma behind, underscoring her remarkable achievement. While Elaine ran at 10:61 and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce did the same along with Shericka Jackson, he called out for Gabby as well by calling her “unbelievable.” He continued to support Gabby, stating, “Out of four women that can run sub 50, yeah, we have about six women over there that can all run sub 50.”

Sharpe mentioned that Sydney McLaughlin can go sub-48 and explained why he wants Gabby on the team. Thomas won two medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games: a silver in the 4x100m relay and a bronze in the 200m sprint. Shannon Sharpe directly asked coach Mike to put Gabby on the 4×4. He said, “We know she’s gonna run third leg, right, because she can run the curb. She’s a 200-meter specialist, so she can run the hell out the curb. So I want her.” Thomas’s podium placement marks her third Olympic medal.

Sha’Carri Richardson could not win gold in the 100m event at the Paris Olympics, claiming silver with a speed of 10.87. It’s time for Gabby to avenge that defeat. At the U.S. track and field trials in Eugene, Thomas planned to compete in both the 200m and 400m but chose only to race the 200m to focus on getting the gold. She chose well. Thomas, Richardson, and Team USA will aim for further success in the 4x100m relay on August 9th if they qualify for the finals.

Sprint showdown: Gabby Thomas vs. Sha’Carri Richardson

At the US Olympic track and field trials, the expectation was a memorable contest between Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas in the 200m final. Four days after the reigning 100m world champion soared to victory in her marquee event at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Richardson was back on the track for the 200m. On Thursday, June 27, Richardson was the only woman in the first round of the 200m to clock a sub-22, finishing with a time of 21.99 seconds. She won the gold medal in that round. Last year, she took the world bronze in this event and was 0.12 seconds faster than Gabby Thomas, who earned silver. Thomas won her heat in 22.11 seconds. 

Both women eased off in the home straight, moving into the semis as the runners to beat. Richardson told NBC about her strategy, saying confidently, “It’s about execution.” She was focusing on the curve in that event. Thomas, known for her 200m prowess, took bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics event. Although Richardson garners more attention in the 100m, their encounters at the U.S. Olympic Trials and Diamond League meets are always notable. Richardson triumphed in the 100m at the 2023 U.S. Championships with 10.82 seconds, while Thomas’s best of 21.60 seconds makes her exceptional over 200m. 

After securing her spot at the World Championship in Budapest, Thomas told the BBC, “Every time we step on the track, we have to expect that our competitors are going to just bring it,” reflecting her preparation for the games. Thomas’s coach, Kebba Tolbert, praised her constant effort, calling her “very talented” and “very, very driven.” With Thomas potentially competing in the 400m relay, will her inclusion benefit Team USA? What’s your thought on it? Let us know in the comments section below!