American sprinter Gabby Thomas clinched her first Olympic gold in the women’s 200-meter final at the 2024 Paris Games on Tuesday. She attributes this achievement, in part, to her career in health care. The 27-year-old, who previously won bronze and silver at the Tokyo Olympics, balances her athletic career with work at a volunteer healthcare clinic in Austin, helping those without insurance.
Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology from Harvard University and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Texas Health Science Center. In the lead-up to the Games, she trained three to six hours daily while volunteering at night.
Thomas believes having a diverse career has been crucial to her success. She explained to NBC News that splitting her focus between track and another passion contributes to her mental well-being, allowing her to feel more fulfilled.
In an interview with Olympics.com, she expressed gratitude for doing what she loves. After long, exhausting days of practice, she finds satisfaction in impacting people's lives through her volunteer work.
Looking ahead, Thomas aims to compete in Los Angeles in 2028 and hopes to eventually run a hospital or nonprofit focused on democratizing health care access and information. Her driving force remains her passion, as she conveyed to NBC News.