‘We Train at a Public Park’ - Gabby Thomas Opens Up on the Struggles of Professional Athletes in America

Gabby Thomas Photo: Grand Slam Track

‘We Train at a Public Park’ - Gabby Thomas Opens Up on the Struggles of Professional Athletes in America

Joel Omotto 12:16 - 09.05.2025

Gabby Thomas has dispelled the notion that track and field stars in America have it easy, revealing the sad reality they have to deal with to achieve success.

Olympics champion Gabby Thomas has shared some insights into what professional athletes in the United States go through to succeed.

The United States is known to produce world beating athletes and it is assumed that they have access to the best in class when it comes to training facilities which gives them the edge over rivals, especially those from third world countries.

However, Thomas has dispelled that notion, saying pros in America have it rough more than their counterparts who live in college as they have to struggle for where to train.

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“The biggest [misconception] is our training situation,” Thomas said on Networth and Chill.

US Runners in College Have an Advantage

Gabby Thomas. Photo. Imago

“I think people have this idea that we train at this really elite kind of Olympics training centres [but] I think in our sports specifically, you are lucky if you are training on a college campus.

“If you are a professional runner and you can stay at your college campus, you already like miles ahead [no pun intended].”

Thomas then opened up on her own struggles since becoming a pro athlete, saying it is the same problem faced by many other track and field stars in the US.

“When I decided to run and be an Olympian and try go for that dream, I moved to Texas and we do not train at any type of Olympics training centre,” Thomas revealed regarding her training situation.

What Challenges Does Gabby Thomas Face?

Gabby Thomas has to train at public parks and lift weights at a warehouse.

“We actually train at a public park, sometimes at a local high school, and we do our weight training at a warehouse that is not temperature controlled.

“You can make it using the bare minimum, all you need is a pair of spikes and a track and there are some that have their college resources, which is incredible, but I know for myself and my group and for a lot of professionals, you are on your own.”

Despite the challenges, America remains the most successful athletics nation on the globe with Thomas having etched her name in history by winning three Olympics gold medals in Paris last year.

She is up and running in 2025, having featured at the first two editions of Grand Slam Track, winning the first in Kingston and finishing second in Miami, while she is looking forward to more glory at the Philadelphia and Los Angeles legs before heading to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

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