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Northampton’s two-time Olympian Gabby Thomas celebrates first gold medal
By Nicole Buddie,
2024-08-08
EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Two-time Olympian Gabby Thomas won her first-ever Olympic gold medal on Tuesday in the 200 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In 2021, at the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, Gabby Thomas earned the bronze medal in the 200 meter. Her recent gold in the 200 meters in Paris put the United States back on top of the 200-meter podium for the first time in 12 years.
Photo courtesy of Martha McCullagh
Photo courtesy of Martha McCullagh
Photo courtesy of Martha McCullagh
Less than a decade ago, Thomas set records at The Williston Northampton School, one of them being the 200 meters. To this day, no one has beat Gabby’s time.
Thomas’ stomping grounds held a watch party on campus on Tuesday, where she first took up track in the 7th grade and competed on the team through the 12th grade.
Emotion filled the room as Gabby crossed the finish line and Head of School Robert Hill shared with 22News, “We have watched Gabby grow up since middle school years blossom into this leader that she is today.”
Her support system from The Williston Northampton School extends to Paris, with her former high school track and field (and also math teacher) sitting in the stands during the 200 meters watching her take off for her biggest achievement in the sport yet.
Thomas is not only making history but leaving a mark on those around her including the youth in western Massachusetts. “It’s really important that these athletes see that, you can make it somewhere too and you can make it big,” shared Taryn Ryan, a local college athlete.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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