"We've been wanting that for so long now" - Gabby Thomas reacts to Diamond League increasing prize money amid launch of rival leagues

By Soumik Bhattacharya

Modified Sep 26, 2024 16:26 GMT

Reigning women's 200m Olympic champion Gabby Thomas recently commented on the decision of the Wanda Diamond League to increase the prize money of the meet from the 2025 track and field season. This comes just a few hours before her run in the 2024 Athlos NYC at the Icahn Stadium.

The organizers of the Diamond League took this decision after its final meet of the 2024 season in Brussels. The officials of the meet hiked the existing prize money pool by approximately 30 percent, which amounts to $9.24 million across the season.

Reacting to this decision from the Wanda Diamond League organizers, Gabby Thomas stated that she is elated to see this strong competition between the track meets and also mentioned that this increase in prize pool by the Diamond League was long due for the entire track and field comunity. Thomas said (via FloTrack):

"I mean I think it's amazing to see the competition and how it's driving the sport forward. Like you have this meet and other initiatives and the Diamond League reacting to that, we have been wanting that for so long now. And now we have that support to make it happen and so I mean I think it's a special time for track and field. It's special for women's track, but especially track and field."

The Wanda Diamond League's initiative to hike up its prize money comes after the inclusion of new track meets such as Alexis Ohanian's Athlos NYC and Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track meet in the yearly track and field calendar.

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Gabby Thomas opens up about competing in the women's 200m at Athlos NYC 2024

Gabby Thomas on day 14 of the 2024 Paris Olympics (Image via: Getty Images)

Following a short break after the Paris quadrennial event, Gabby Thomas is all set to grace the Athlos NYC 2024 meet where she will compete over the 200m distance and will face competitors such as Anavia Battle and Brittany Brown.

She opened up about her mental preparations ahead of this women's only track and field meet recently during a conversation. During the interview, Thomas stated that she is facing the challenge of keeping her intensity level the same even during this concluding part of the 2024 track season and more so after a hectic Olympic season. She said (via Citius Mag):

"I think it’s one of the biggest ever challenge I have had to face after having such a long season and emotional roller-coaster of going to the Olympics. I have just been fighting through it."

The Athlos NYC 2024 will be the first track and field meet Gabby Thomas will compete in after her heroics at the Paris Olympics. It will also be her last appearance of the 2024 season.