Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Gabby Thomas was raised in Northampton, Massachusetts. She grew up in poverty and in a single-parent household. But her mother, Jennifer Randall, taught her to be a go-getter. With this attitude, Thomas got into Harvard and earned her undergraduate degree in neurobiology and global health. The same attitude helped her win a bronze in the 200m race at Tokyo and a silver in the 4x100m relay.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will be the 27-year-old’s second Olympic run.

Interesting Fact: Thomas ran track growing up but never took it seriously. That was until she watched the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials where Allyson Felix competed in the 200m race- the same event that Thomas now excels in.

“I grew up loving track and my family has always been a huge track family, and so if I can just run, run, well, make my grandfather and my dad proud, then I’m doing my job,” showcasing her heartfelt emotion. She has also been open about her Jamaican roots and has an immense love for Jamaican track and field fans.

Growing up, Gabby Thomas also played soccer and softball. Ultimately, it was track and field that inspired her to be her best. But apart from her athleticism, fans have also noticed that Gabby Thomas is quite tall.

Height and weight comparison: Gabby Thomas vs. other athletes in track and field

Gabby Thomas stands at 5′.9″, which can be considered the high end of the scale in terms of a female sprinter’s height. The typical height of an Olympic female athlete in sprint events ranges from 5 feet 6 inches, or 168 cm, to 5 feet 9 inches, or 175 cm, similar to Gabby Thomas.

Many elite-level sprinters have heights closer to 5 feet 8 inches, like 173 cm, like Aleia Hobbs, and many more. These athletes, including Gabby Thomas, have the upper hand in sprinting, as they can take longer strides.

When it comes to weight, her exact weight is never specified, but it is generally thought to be about 143 lb (65 kg), within the normal weight range for her height. She works hard to stay in good shape, and once she shared her workout routine with The Healthy, saying, “A typical workout routine for me is about three hours or running, believe it or not, and then a lift.”

So, she tries to stay within a perfect weight range before any major event. The average weight of Olympic female sprinters falls in the 130-lb to 150-lb range (59–68 kg). Sprinters typically have a lean, muscular build optimized for high speed and agility. This is due to the demands of their sport.

But did you know that an elite athlete like Thomas dreaded indulging in Pilates? In April 2024, before the Paris Olympics, the star told Women’s Health how humbling Pilates was. “As an Olympian in that room, not being able to do a lot of the exercises that they’re doing, you really realize how many small muscles that you don’t activate every day.”

“My body goes through it during Pilates … But it’s really good for me and my personal growth. It’s really hard, but it’s also relaxing in a way, so it’s fun.” Clearly, the Olympian has been doing everything to win a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. What do you think?