With Gabby Thomas, it is usually her fans and opponents who are surprised by her antics on the track. But this time, the unthinkable has happened! It is Thomas who is shell-shocked about learning a certain update about one of her fellow opponents. With the Grand Slam Track coming up, the tensions are quite palpable among the athletes. After all, everyone wants to reach out for the coveted prize money of $100,000. Thus, when Thomas got to know that one of her US teammates was making a comeback to challenge her in GST, the Olympic gold medalist was left amazed. But does that mean Gabby Thomas is afraid?
Well, the scheme of things has truly been a little odd here. The athlete concerned here is none other than Morolake Akinosun. While the Nigerian-American track and field athlete has been one of the most prominent faces of track and field, her inclusion in the Grand Slam Track is quite significant. In a recent X update, the official account of GST posted, “PLOT TWIST We have THREE new Challengers for our inaugural Slam! @MattCentrowitz @mo_akinosun @TheRealMerb.”
Out of the three athletes, Akinosun’s name popping up in the women’s short sprint category came as a surprise. It’s because she just announced her retirement from competitive track and field days ago! Morolake Akinosun has represented the US in multiple prestigious events. One of the biggest highlights of her career was her 4x100m relay gold medal in the Olympics back in 2016.
@mo_akinosun don’t play with me
— Gabby Thomas (@itsgabbyt) April 1, 2025
With just days to go before the GST, Akinosun announced that she wanted to hang up her boots. Thus, when the poster announced Akinosun’s return, Gabby Thomas looked stumped. Commenting on the incident, Thomas wrote, “Don’t play with me.” Thomas’ lines were followed by three smiling emojis. Surely, this was quite a shocker.
Having committed to serving GST as a corporate member, the sudden change of plans for Akinosun is still unknown. Nonetheless, this 360-degree turn surely heats the women’s division. With the likes of Thomas and Akinosun going at each other, it will be a barnburner for the fans to watch. Meanwhile, both the sprinters share a strong bond of sisterhood. Gabby Thomas even wished Akinosun all the best on her retirement. But that’s not all.
Gabby Thomas celebrates Morolake Akinosun’s retirement with heartfelt message
Gabby Thomas and Morolake Akinosun share a bond that goes beyond the track, built on years of training, competition, and unwavering support. So when Akinosun announced her retirement from track and field, Thomas was among the first to express her love and admiration for her longtime friend.
Thomas took to Instagram to celebrate Akinosun’s next chapter, declaring, “My girl is going to crush it at GST and in life. Proud is an understatement.” The two sprinters have pushed each other to new heights over the years. And Akinosun herself acknowledged the impact Thomas had on her career. She stated, “You made me work harder on the track than I ever had in my entire life.”
Their friendship was evident not just in training but also in moments of triumph. When Thomas secured Olympic gold in the 200m, Akinosun was quick to share her excitement, writing, “GABRIELLE THOMAS, OLYMPIC CHAMPION!!!! Cried real tears watching this one! I’m so proud of you.” The two have always celebrated each other’s victories, proving that their connection runs deeper than medals and records.
As Morolake steps away from the track and into a new role with Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam League, Gabby’s heartfelt message is a testament to their enduring friendship. One built on mutual respect, admiration, and a bond that won’t fade with the finish line.
The post “Don’t Play with Me”: Gabby Thomas Left Shocked After Retired Olympic Makes Surprising Announcement for Dream Race appeared first on EssentiallySports.
