Track and field Star Gabby Thomas has had a widely successful career, winning multiple Olympic gold medals among a long line of impressive achievements. The Sports Museum recently recognized her as a deserving recipient of the 2025 Track and Field Legacy Award.
Thomas’ award was presented by her close friend, Ngozi Musa, who praised Thomas for her tenacity as an athlete. The event was held at TD Garden in Boston.
Ngozi Musa Shares Heartfelt Message for Gabby Thomas
The Sports Museum recently celebrated “The Tradition,” a star-studded annual celebration of sports in Boston. Thomas was among several high-performing athletes who were recognized for their contributions to various sports.
The 28-year-old gold medalist received the prestigious award from her fellow Harvard alum and friend, Musa. The latter shared a video of herself handing the plaque to the former, noting that she was honored to present the award to her.
Afterwards, the duo sat down for a brief chat on stage, and Musa shared a heartwarming story of how Thomas had always defeated her in the 60m race when they were teenagers.
“I will say again, it was like that first, Freshman year… we spent almost every waking day together… and I was like, no, she’s really got something, and it’s something special,” she said.
Musa also penned a heartwarming message that read, “I’ve had the honor of watching her shine since we were 18, & seeing her receive her flowers was truly special. Ilysm @gabbythomas 🤍”
READ MORE: How Gabby Thomas Used Harvard Neurobiology as a Secret Weapon in Track and Field
When Thomas received the award, she acknowledged that while it was hard to reach the top in her career, it was even harder to maintain that level for a long period. She noted that she had to work hard to repeatedly establish herself, which made her feel pressured to always be the best.
Despite the pressure she felt, Thomas competed in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and walked away with three gold medals. To her, those accomplishments in Paris proved that she was “capable of committing” to her passion for years, even when the results may not always be favorable.
Gabby Thomas Shares the ‘Secret Ingredient’ That Makes Her Great
Thomas was featured in an episode of “The Stockton Street” Podcast, hosted by Serena and Venus Williams. During the discussion, Venus asked her to share the one “secret ingredient” behind her success.
“Probably my grit. I’m just a very gritty athlete,” the track and field star replied.
Both Venus and Serena were surprised by Thomas’ answer because to them, she didn’t appear “gritty.” The three athletes shared a wholesome moment laughing about it, and then discussed more about Thomas’ career and accomplishments.
