'It creates that feeling of superiority' – Gabby Thomas on the mental edge of winning before Paris

Multiple Olympic champion has candidly shared how victories in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics fueled her confidence to compete at thet level.

The sprinter, who cemented her place in track and field history with three gold medals at the Paris Games, believes winning is essential for mental readiness and dominance.

«If I win, it just creates that feeling of superiority going into this Olympics,» Thomas said during her feature in Netflix’s docuseries’ season.

«I have to win it.»

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Thomas’ remarks came as she reflected on her pivotal victory at the Diamond League on July 20, 2024, where she stunned the athletics world by clocking 21.82 seconds in the 200m.

Her performance edged out fierce competitors like Julien Alfred and Dina Asher-Smith, who recorded times of 21.86 and 22.07 seconds, respectively.

The win, she emphasized a crucial turning point in her journey to the Paris Games.

The 200m final at the Paris Olympics delivered an encore of her London triumph.

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Thomas stormed to victory with a time of 21.83 seconds, once again besting Alfred, the reigning 100m Olympic champion and another teammate who finished at 22.08 and 22.20 seconds.

Thomas credited her preparation and mindset as decisive factors in claiming gold on the sport’s grandest stage.

«I know a lot of people expected me to have gold,» Thomas said, reflecting on the mounting expectations surrounding her performance.

«The fact that I was an Olympian was unbelievable to me, and then I got a medal, and that was unbelievable to me.»

Her reflections on the Tokyo 2020 Games highlight the journey of growth and confidence that led to her Paris success.

In Tokyo, Thomas secured a bronze medal in the 200m, finishing behind Elaine Thompson-Herah and Christine Mboma.

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While many saw her performance as falling short of gold, Thomas viewed it as a monumental achievement.

«I was really excited, okay, I loved it,» she said during her appearance on the Why Not Me? podcast with Mike Jackson.

«I couldn’t believe that I had an Olympic medal. I know a lot of people during that time felt like it was a letdown right and I didn’t even understand that until much later.»

Fast forward to 2024, Thomas entered the Paris Olympics determined to prove herself.

Beyond her individual victory in the 200m, she also anchored the U.S. relay teams to triumph in both the 4x100m and 4x400m events, showcasing her versatility and leadership.

The journey to Paris was more than a story of physical preparation for Thomas; it was about psychological resilience.

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In Netflix’s docuseries, Thomas opened up about the mental toughness required to stay at the top of her game.

Joining elite athletes like Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson, Letsile Tebogo, Kenny Bednarek, and Fred Kerley, she shared how each milestone win created an unshakeable belief in her ability to dominate.

«Winning isn’t just about the medal,” Thomas said.

“It’s about walking into that stadium and knowing you’re the one to beat.”