Gabby Thomas, the Olympic gold medalist, continues to face relentless criticism despite her efforts to uplift track and field. This year has been particularly tough for her, with a series of negative incidents. First, she received backlash at the Unrivaled event for simply dressing well. Then, she had to endure racist remarks that questioned her Harvard degree, nearly breaking her down. Now, another controversy has emerged, with an individual on social media attempting to discredit her identity. But instead of staying silent, Gabby Thomas responded head-on.
The Latest Controversy
Gabby Thomas, who has an American mother and a Jamaican mother, has never had to justify her identity. However, even after winning two gold medals for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, instead of receiving appreciation, she became the target of online negativity. Critics used race to undermine her accomplishments, but Gabby swiftly responded, shutting them down. Yet, another issue soon arose.
A social media account named Track Spice shared a TikTok video of Gabby dancing to “Teach Me How to Dougie” by Cali Swag District. She was casually dressed in a white headband, white T-shirt, and blue jean shorts. The caption read: “Day 5.5 learning to Dougie, keeping my wrists lower.” While she might not have been the smoothest dancer, she was clearly enjoying herself. However, the comment section quickly turned sour.
A user named “Inventing April,” who appeared to be Jamaican based on her profile, commented: “This is a white woman… I will not elaborate.” Gabby wasted no time responding with a sharp, one-word reply: “Ew.” Her quick clapback left the commenter taken aback.
The Escalation
Realizing the backlash, the user tried to backtrack, saying, “It’s just the dance moves,” but Gabby wasn’t having it. She firmly responded: “Nah, girl, you got the wrong one. Black people aren’t a monolith, and this anti-Black rhetoric isn’t it. Let Black women be silly and have fun.”
Despite this, “Inventing April” continued, replying with “Let’s keep it cute now!” Gabby shut down the exchange with: “Aht aht — ma’am, your original comment wasn’t cute. But I won’t hold you as I’m sure you learned something today.” With that, she effectively ended the conversation, making it clear that she wasn’t going to tolerate unnecessary attacks on her identity.
Support From Fans
Gabby’s response sparked a wave of support from her fans. Many defended her right to enjoy herself without criticism. One person commented: “Gabby is a gold medalist, who cares if she can dance or not? Let her live!” Another added: “Lol, girl got moves!” Others emphasized that the backlash was uncalled for, stating: “She always slays—whether she’s shutting down haters or leaving competitors in the dust!”
Supporters also pointed out that Gabby has always incorporated dance into her routine. Whether warming up with a quick shuffle or celebrating victories with a bop, she has always brought her own rhythm to the sport.
Some fans also recognized the deeper issue behind the criticism. One person commented: “It’s possible it was a joke, but I don’t blame Gabby for taking it seriously. She’s been a constant target for these types of comments. As someone who has endured similar remarks, I know how hurtful it can be when it comes from within our community.” Another supporter said: “I love how Gabby will go toe to toe with people who THINK they know her! You blackity black, Gabs!”
Previous Attacks on Her Education
This isn’t the first time Gabby Thomas has had to deal with unfair scrutiny. Earlier this year, trolls began questioning her intelligence despite her academic achievements. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: “Gabby Thomas doesn’t sound like she’s the brightest out there.” Gabby sarcastically responded: “You’re probably right 🤷🏽♀️😂 darn my Harvard degree.”
However, the situation worsened when some people falsely suggested that she must have faked her way into Harvard because of her race. Frustrated, Gabby addressed the issue head-on, posting: “Today, on Jan 26, 2025, there are hundreds of people commenting on my Twitter page that specifically because I am Black, they must assume I did not earn my admission into Harvard nor did I earn my diploma. Is this real life??”
For the record, Gabby not only graduated from Harvard with a degree in neuroscience but also earned her master’s in public health from the University of Texas at Austin. Despite her credentials, people still attempt to discredit her accomplishments.
Gabby’s Resilience
Gabby Thomas has repeatedly proven that she is not only an elite athlete but also someone who refuses to let negativity define her. Whether dealing with unfair criticism about her identity, education, or even her dance moves, she continues to handle it all with confidence and grace. As she shuts down trolls one by one, her supporters remain right beside her, cheering her on.