Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian reacts as Gabby Thomas wins major honor for her victorious pursuits in the Olympic season

By Adityan Pillai

Modified Nov 15, 2024 00:59 GMT

Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian reacted as Gabby Thomas was named the 'USATF Jackie Joyner-Kersee Athlete of the Year'. The co-founder of Reddit was delighted and congratulated the Olympic gold medalist on receiving the honor.

Gabby Thomas marched into the Paris Olympics as one of the top prospects for the podium position after she defeated Sha'Carri Richardson in the women's 200m at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. She went head to head against 100m Olympic Champion, Julien Alfred in the 200m and won the final with a formidable lead. Thomas registered a performance of 21.83s to win the Olympic crown.

Moreover, with the U.S. Olympic team, she participated in the women's 4x100m and 4x400m relay and won the gold medal in both events. She concluded her Paris Olympics campaign with three gold medals. After the quadrennial games, Thomas decided to skip the Diamond League series. She appeared in the inaugural edition of Alexis Ohanian's women's only track meet, 'Athlos' and won the silver medal in the 200m finishing behind Brittany Brown.

After concluding her 2024 season, she received the 'Jackie Joyner-Kersee Athlete of the Year' by USATF for her victorious pursuits in the 2024 season and Alexis Ohanian took to X to congratulate the athlete who was also a partner of his track league, Athlos.

"Well deserved! Congrats to our @ATHLOS partner @itsgabbyt — yet one more accolade in an incredible year of success," he wrote.

Gabby Thomas on competing in Alexis Ohanian led 'Athlos'

Gabby Thomas at Athlos NYC - Source: Getty

Gabby Thomas spoke about competing in Athlos NYC after the Paris Olympics in her appearance on 'Ali on the Run Show'. The American athlete expressed how the event was very well organized as well as how all the athletes felt really appreciated performing in the inaugural edition of the track meet.

Moreover, she also highlighted the fact that the event, which aims to be a pioneer for change in women's sports, felt like a celebration of running and athletes.

“I had a great time helping to put it on. The after party for that was incredible. Alexis Ohanian had done it, he laid out the red carpet for us. He had our favorite celebrities there. Megan Thee Stallion performed right there on the track. And it was just such an incredible cultural moment for us."

“It was so well thought out and we felt so appreciated and we had so much fun. And it was a celebration of not just our racing, but like us as athletes and our culture and just women in sport. And I've just never felt so seen and like understood and celebrated. So I think that that was the best post-race celebration for me,” she added.

Thomas expressed that she decided to compete in the event taking into consideration the bigger picture and being a part of the rise of women's sports.