EUGENE, OR. – Former Harvard standout Gabby Thomas '19 took TrackTown by storm this week, shattering her own personal mark, setting the world standard, and clinching a spot at the Olympic Games this summer in Tokyo with her win in the 200 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
This will mark Thomas' first appearance at the Olympics after a standout career at Harvard, which included a 200 meter indoor national title in 2018.
In each subsequent race leading up to tonight's final, Thomas set a new personal record, and recorded the second fastest 200 in world history when she set the US Olympic Trials record of 21.61. On Thursday, Thomas had the best qualifying time in the first round heats, running 21.98 to win heat 4 and clinch a spot in the semifinals.
Thomas was even faster on Friday, running 21.94 in heat 2 with top qualifying time heading into tonight's final.
She saved her best for last on Saturday and now only trails world record holder Florence Griffith-Joyner's 21.34, set at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
A native of Florence, Mass., Thomas had previously clinched a trip to Tokyo as part of the 4x100m relay pool, placing fifth (11.15) in the final after another series of impressive performances which included a personal best mark of 11.00 in the first round, and a wind-aided 10.95 mark in the semifinal.
Thomas is the 23rd Olympian in the history of Harvard Track and Field, and seeks to become the first Harvard woman to medal in a track and field event.
At Harvard, Thomas rewrote the record book, as she has Harvard's all-time best marks in the 60m (7.25), 200m (22.38), and 300m (37.47), and is a member of the record holding 4x400m relay team.
Gabby was just as prolific on the outdoor track, holding Harvard records in the 100m (11.19), 200m (22.32), long jump (6.27m), and setting school marks as a member of the 4x100m, 4x200m, and 4x400m relays.
She is a five-time Heps Outstanding Performer of the Meet honoree, earning Most Outstanding Track Performer of the Meet four times (two indoor, two outdoor) and the 2018 Outdoor Heps Most Outstanding Field Performer of the Meet award. During the 2017-18 indoor track season, Thomas became the first NCAA sprint champion in Ivy League history, winning the 200-meter dash while setting an NCAA indoor record, crossing the finish line in 22.38 seconds. She is a 25-time All-Ivy League athlete and an eight-time USTFCCCA All-American.
