Gabby Thomas Settles on Familiar Surroundings for Next Race After Conquering Africa

Olympics champion Gabby Thomas will return to familiar surroundings for her next race after her highly-successful African tour in April.

Thomas made her highly-awaited visit to Africa when she started with the Addis Ababa Grand Prix in Ethiopia, where she won both the 100m and 200m, clocking 11.13 seconds and 22.13 seconds respectively.

She then went on to set a new 200m championship record at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya when she clocked 21.89, erasing the previous time of 22.07 by fellow countrywoman Sha'Carri Richardson in 2023 at Kasarani Stadium. She also completed the double by claiming the 100m race in a time of 11.01 seconds in Nairobi.

Two days later, the American lit up the Gaborone Golden Grand Prix in Botswana when she set her first-ever sub-11-second performance in 100m, recording 10.95 seconds to win the race.

Her next race will be the inaugural Lone Star Grand Prix Fueled by 44 Farms which is set to feature a world-class lineup that also has world champion Oblique Seville confirmed for the June 6 meet at Texas A&M University's E.B. Cushing Stadium.

Thomas will lead a stacked women's 200m field, facing stiff competition from 2024 NCAA champion and Olympic finalist McKenzie Long. The race will also include World Championship gold medalist Kayla White and Olympic silver medalist Jenna Prandini, promising a thrilling contest.

In the men's 100m, Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville is slated to compete against a formidable group that includes Canadian Olympic champion Andre De Grasse, American World Indoor champion Trayvon Bromell, and British record holder Zharnel Hughes.

The field is further strengthened by members of Team USA's recent gold medal-winning 4x100m relay team from the World Relays: Ronnie Baker, Max Thomas, and Pjai Austin.

Organizers also announced elite fields for the women's 400m and men's 110m hurdles.

Britton Wilson, one of the fastest American women in history, will headline the 400m. She will be challenged by World Relays and World Indoor gold medalist Bailey Lear and Olympic gold medalist Alexis Holmes. Haiti's Wadeline Jonathas, the reigning World Indoor silver medalist, adds international flair to the event.

The men's 110m hurdles will feature a clash of top American talent, with Olympic silver medalist Daniel Roberts taking on fellow Olympian Freddie Crittenden and U.S. indoor champion Dylan Beard.

Organized by USA Track & Field, the Lone Star Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, with events starting at 2 p.m. CT and it is a welcome vent for Thomas who lives in Texas.