Gabby Thomas Speaks Out After Race Harassment and Ongoing Stalker Encounters: “This Has to Stop”
Gabby Thomas entered Philadelphia full of promise. The Olympic silver medalist was fresh off a $100,000 win at Kingston and looked ready to dominate again at the Grand Slam Track event. But while the 200m race didn’t go her way—losing narrowly to Melissa Jefferson-Wooden—what happened after the race became a far more disturbing headline.
Jefferson-Wooden clocked a personal best of 21.99 seconds, just ahead of Thomas’s 22.10. Despite the razor-thin margin and a respectable second-place finish, Thomas’s post-race moment was derailed by a harasser in the crowd. As she made her way around the track, signing autographs and taking photos—mostly with children—Thomas was followed and shouted at by a man who hurled personal insults at her. The public nature of the harassment, and the lack of immediate intervention, raised serious questions about athlete safety at major events.
<strong>Gabby’s Powerful Response</strong>
Thomas addressed the incident directly on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“This grown man followed me around the track as I took pictures and signed autographs for fans (mostly children), shouting personal insults—anybody who enables him online is gross.”
Her words sparked immediate support from fans, athletes, and public figures. Tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian shared the post, adding: “Absolutely pathetic.”
Thomas’s statement was about more than just her personal experience—it called out a toxic culture that often shadows public figures and athletes in their most vulnerable moments. Her stance resonated widely because this wasn’t an isolated event.
<strong>A Pattern of Harassment</strong>
Thomas has also faced persistent and deeply unsettling stalking from a group of men who track her movements across airports. In a recent TikTok video, the 28-year-old revealed that she’s been followed multiple times by a group of 3–6 middle-aged men who somehow know her flight details and show up at her gate—despite her never posting travel information.
“They show up either at the front door of the airport, at the correct concourse, or they show up at my gate, which means they have flight tickets and they get past security,” she explained.
The men reportedly carry stacks of photos—up to 40 at a time—and demand autographs. When she refuses, they become aggressive. Thomas suspects her email or personal accounts may have been compromised and has since taken steps like changing passwords and filming the stalkers for evidence. A recent incident involving her boyfriend pushed her to draw the line.
“These guys are done. Once I figure this out, they won’t be harassing anyone else,” she said defiantly.
<strong>Calls for Action</strong>
These repeated encounters underscore a critical issue in elite sports: athlete safety and privacy. Many are now calling for stronger measures from event organizers, sports bodies, and even law enforcement to ensure that athletes like Thomas aren’t left to defend themselves alone—especially during family-friendly public moments.
As one of track and field’s most visible stars, Gabby Thomas’s voice carries weight. And now, she’s using it to demand change—not just for herself, but for every athlete who should feel safe both on and off the track.