Gabby Thomas Stands Firm Against Harassment in Sports: “No Tolerance for That”
Three-time Olympic champion Gabby Thomas is no stranger to criticism, but she’s also no stranger to standing her ground. Over the years, she has called out trolls, advocated for gender equality, and now, she’s speaking out against harassment in sports.
In a recent episode of A Touch More with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe, Thomas made it clear that she refuses to accept harassment as “part of the job.” Addressing the toxic online culture, she said,
> “I did not sign up to being stalked or harassed just because I’m very good at my job and just because I wanna represent my country.”
The Reality of Harassment in Sports
Thomas shed light on a troubling reality—how harassment against female athletes is normalized online. She believes there is a deliberate and disproportionate targeting of women, especially those pushing boundaries in sports.
> “There’s a large target on women athletes’ backs, and it’s very intentional—especially if you’re a female athlete breaking the mold.”
This isn’t the first time Thomas has used her platform for change. Whether it was standing up for equal pay in March 2025 or calling out sexist comments, she has continuously fought against the inequalities in track and field.
A Safer Future: The Role of “Inner Circle”
But Thomas isn’t just speaking out—she’s also supporting change. She highlighted the work of Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, who is developing Inner Circle, a new social media platform in partnership with Michael Johnson and Grand Slam Track.
This app aims to create a safer space for athletes, ensuring that:
✅ Harassment is not tolerated
✅ Athletes can earn through subscriptions
✅ A more positive community is fostered
Could Inner Circle be the breakthrough that track and field needs?
The Bigger Picture
Gabby Thomas is making it clear—she won’t back down. She’s not just running on the track; she’s running toward reform. The question is: Will the sports world follow her lead?
What do you think? Is online harassment a bigger issue for female athletes, or is it the same for everyone? Let’s talk!