"I know there are issues"- Gabby Thomas gets real about USA relay teams and clears popular misconceptions 

Gabby Thomas opened up about popular misconceptions about relay teams and expressed her thoughts about last-minute blunders in coordination during major events. The American athlete shared that track athletes who compete together in a relay team do not train together all year round.

Thomas competed as a part of Team USA in both the women's 4x400m relay and the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics. The team emerged victorious in the quadrennial games and helped Thomas become one of the American track athletes with the most gold medals in Paris.

On the other hand, the USA men's 4x100m relay team was disqualified in the finals as they exchanged the baton beyond the prescribed exchange zone. Fans raised a lot of questions about the team's coordination and practice after their disqualification.

Gabby Thomas spoke about the relay team's training in an appearance on the 'Unfiltered Waters podcast. The American athlete cleared common misconceptions about track and shared that athletes train for the relay only before major championships at the National camp.

“I think a big misconception in Track and Field, too, is that we all train together and that we all know each other. No, like people live all around the country and they have different training groups, and we come together for this one meet and try to make a relay happen. So I just want to clear that up. A lot of especially with the men's relay. I know there are issues, but these people don't train together," she said.

Moreover, sometimes, the relay order also gets changed based on the athlete's individual events as well.

“I'm like, once again, give them a little slack. And then you have to practice with the relay order that you think will happen. But obviously, people have their individual events, and things change," she added.

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Gabby Thomas on receiving fans' support after her withdrawal announcement

Gabby Thomas at the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships - Source: Getty

Gabby Thomas withdrew from the World Championships weeks following the end of the USATF National Championships. The American athlete shared that she was struggling with an Achilles injury for a long time, and it aggravated right before the National Championships.

Thomas's post was met with positive responses from fans who extended their best wishes and hoped for a swift recovery. The American athlete was overwhelmed by the support and thanked her fans for their loving messages.

“Wow, I was a little nervous about sharing my injury news, but I have been met with so much support from partners and track fans. It truly means so much. I love track and can’t wait to get back to myself and racing the best in the world. See you guys soon," she wrote.

Gabby Thomas hopes to recover and return stronger in the 2026 season.