'Not chasing records'- Why Gabby Thomas is setting her own 200m path without chasing Flo-Jo's record

Triple Olympic champion has cemented her place among the greatest athletes in track and field following her triumphant performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Thomas, already a highly regarded sprinter, dominated the women’s 200m final, crossing the finish line in an impressive 21.83 seconds to claim her first Olympic gold medal in the event.

She further solidified her place in history by anchoring the U.S. teams to victory in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events, earning a total of three gold medals in the French capital.

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Thomas’ standout performances have inevitably drawn comparisons to the legendary , also known as Flo-Jo, who set the still-standing world records in the women’s 100m and 200m back in 1988.

Flo-Jo’s 200m world record of 21.34 seconds has stood unbroken for 36 years, becoming a nearly mythical mark in women’s track and field. Despite her remarkable success, Thomas remains cautious about chasing the elusive world record.

“I think chasing records in our sport is one of the mistakes that you can truly make,” Thomas shared in an interview with HuffPost.

Instead, the American sprinter is focused on excelling in her craft and maintaining a healthy mindset while competing on the global stage.

Russell, 24, boasts a personal best of 12.25 seconds in her specialty.

While the prospect of breaking Flo-Jo’s record has captivated the track and field world for decades, Thomas is clear that her pursuit of greatness is not driven by the numbers on a clock.

The 27-year-old sprinter, who has consistently improved her performances over the past few years, prefers to focus on maximizing her potential rather than letting the pressure of history affect her.

“The moment you start thinking about records, you put undue pressure on yourself,” she explained in a past interview with

“That pressure can take away from your performance and make the sport less enjoyable. I want to continue improving and stay at the top, but I’m not competing just to break records.”

Thomas’ approach comes at a time when the long considered unbeatable, has been increasingly challenged.

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However, Thomas takes a different path, focusing on perfecting her races rather than obsessing over historical records.

In Paris, Thomas had to contend with a star-studded field, including Julien Alfred, Favour Ofili, and Brittany Brown, among others.

Despite the stiff competition, she ran a near-perfect race to secure gold. Her victory in the 200m, combined with her relay successes, has now made her one of the most decorated athletes of the Paris Games.

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Looking ahead, Thomas remains committed to her growth as an athlete.

“I’ll keep working hard, and if the record happens, it happens,” Thomas stated.

“But I’m not going to lose sight of why I love this sport in the first place. For me, it’s about competing at the highest level, enjoying the process, and leaving a lasting legacy.”