Olympic champion Gabby Thomas has revealed how sibling rivalry with her twin brother, Andrew helped shape her competitive spirit and pushed her towards a career in athletics.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThomas, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, believes the rivalry between the two played a significant role in her sporting journey, even though Andrew pursued a completely different career path in the creative industry.Speaking at the Athlos event, the American sprinter reflected on how growing up with her twin brother influenced her determination to excel, noting that their competitive relationship encouraged her to push herself further.“I think we definitely have sibling rivalry, that was very real. The thing is, he went in a completely different direction. He went to arts and creatives and then I went to sports for that reason. But I do think that rivalry pushed me into sports even more,” Thomas said.Sha’Carri Richardson reveals careers she would pursue outside athleticsAndrew, who works as a graphic designer, has largely stayed away from the sporting spotlight occupied by his sister. However, the pair maintain a close relationship, with their bond occasionally offering glimpses into their lives away from competition.Born on December 7, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia, the twins grew up in a family that also includes three younger siblings: Desi, Tyler and Kim.Beyond athletics, Thomas’ family experiences have also influenced her academic interests. She studied neurobiology at Harvard University, driven in part by a desire to better understand the human brain after witnessing her brothers navigate neurodivergent conditions.Her journey reflects a balance between academic ambition and sporting excellence, with Thomas establishing herself as one of the leading figures in women’s sprinting.##NAJAVA_MECA_10036891##The 29-year-old has continued to demonstrate her competitiveness throughout the 2026 season, producing a series of impressive performances across the 100m and 200m.She opened her campaign with a 100m victory at the Texas Relays on April 7, matching her personal best of 11.00 seconds before securing the sprint double at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix on April 18.Thomas carried that momentum to Nairobi for the Kip Keino Classic on April 24, where she won both the 100m and 200m. Her 200m time of 21.89 seconds was a world-leading mark at the time.Two days later, she broke the 11-second barrier in the 100m for the first time in her career, clocking a personal best of 10.95 seconds at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix.World Athletics explain major factor that won Kenya 2029 World Championships bidShe subsequently improved her 200m world lead to 21.70 seconds at the Lone Star Grand Prix on June 6 before finishing second to Julien Alfred in a highly anticipated 200m contest at the London Diamond League on July 18.In September, Thomas returned to winning ways in the 100m at the Palio Città della Quercia in Rovereto, Italy, clocking 11.01 seconds.She then capped her campaign at Athlos London on September 18 by winning the women’s 200m in 22.13 seconds, leading an American podium sweep.While her performances continue to underline her standing among the world’s elite sprinters, Thomas believes the message behind her journey extends beyond medals and personal bests.Should Kenyan football adopt popular Tanzanian clubs trend to attract more fans?Addressing women at the Athlos event, she encouraged them to embrace their abilities, remain confident in their ambitions and refuse to let external expectations limit their potential.“I would say, do not ever dim your light. This competition is full of women who did not let anyone dim their light and they believed that they could do whatever they set their mind to, and that is what we are here to celebrate,” she said.
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