A Shocking Withdrawal from the World Stage

In a devastating turn of events, Gabby Thomas, the triple gold medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympics, has announced that she will miss the upcoming World Track and Field Championships due to an Achilles injury. This injury, which has plagued her since May, worsened significantly throughout July.

Time for Patience and Healing

The World Championships are set to take place in Tokyo from September 13-21, and Thomas expressed her disappointment about missing this key event. In a heartfelt statement, she remarked, "I understand that track fans will be disappointed, but I've realized it’s important to prioritize my health. As athletes, we often want to push through, but sometimes it’s crucial to take a step back for long-term recovery. My best wishes go out to my teammates competing for medals in Tokyo."

A Narrow Miss and a Silver Lining

Thomas's last competition was the Toyota USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships on August 3, where she secured third place in the 200m, finishing just one thousandth of a second ahead of Olympic bronze medalist Brittany Brown. Despite her impressive run, this will be the last chance for Thomas to vie for a title in Tokyo.

New Opportunities Arise

With Thomas officially out of the competition, McKenzie Long, who finished fifth at nationals and was only narrowly edged out, now steps into her place on the World Championship roster. It's an unexpected twist that opens doors for new talent at the event.

Who’s Fastest? A Look at the Contenders

As Thomas rests and recovers, the competition remains fierce. The fastest women in the 200m heading into 2025 include Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia, who clocked in at 21.71 seconds, alongside Americans Melissa Jefferson-Wooden at 21.84, Long at 21.93, and Thomas herself at 21.95.

Stay tuned as the world watches to see who will rise to the occasion in Tokyo without one of its brightest stars.