TOKYO, Japan – Former Harvard track and field standout Gabby Thomas '19 made history on Tuesday (Aug. 3) night at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the 200 meters. Thomas became the first Harvard women's track and field alumna to medal at the Olympics, finishing the race in 21.87.
Thomas is also Harvard's first Olympic medalist since four former members of the Harvard women's ice hockey program (Julie Chu '06-07, Lyndsey Fry '15, Michelle Picard '16, Josephine Pucci '15) took home silver medals with the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
In final featuring the world's elite sprinters, Thomas recorded her best time of the Olympics, passing seven-time Olympic medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price of Jamaica in the final 20 meters of the race to earn a spot on the podium in her Olympic debut.
At Harvard, Thomas rewrote the record book, as she has Harvard's all-time best marks in the 60m (7.25), 200m (22.38), and 300m (37.47), and is a member of the record holding 4x400m relay team. Gabby was just as prolific on the outdoor track, holding Harvard records in the 100m (11.19), 200m (22.32), long jump (6.27m), and setting school marks as a member of the 4x100m, 4x200m, and 4x400m relays.
She is a five-time Heps Outstanding Performer of the Meet honoree, earning Most Outstanding Track Performer of the Meet four times (two indoor, two outdoor) and the 2018 Outdoor Heps Most Outstanding Field Performer of the Meet award. During the 2017-18 indoor track season, Thomas became the first NCAA sprint champion in Ivy League history, winning the 200-meter dash while setting an NCAA indoor record, crossing the finish line in 22.38 seconds. She is a 25-time All-Ivy League athlete and an eight-time USTFCCCA All-American.
--gocrimson.com
