Gabby Thomas condemns harassment from gambler at track meet

Gabby Thomas, a three-time Olympic gold medalist from the United States, reported verbal harassment during a Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia over the weekend. The incident involved a man who followed her as she interacted with fans, taking pictures and signing autographs, which led him to shout personal insults towards her. Thomas highlighted this unacceptable behavior on social media, stating that enabling such acts online is reprehensible. She finished third in the sprints group while reflecting on a troubling link between sports betting and harassment directed at female athletes. Recently, sports organizations have begun to scrutinize the pervasive issue of online abuse stemming from sports betting, with many female athletes speaking out about their experiences. Thomas is not the only one facing this harassment; female athletes in various sports have reported similar experiences where unruly bettors pose threats or intimidation during competitions. This troubling trend has caught the attention of several organizations, prompting Grand Slam Track to launch a full investigation into the behavior exhibited by the spectator in question, ensuring that safeguards are put in place to prevent incidents like this in the future. Such incidents underscore the challenges athletes, particularly women, face due to heightened exposure from social media and the concurrent risks of harassment that often accompany it. Prominent figures in the sports world, including Kara Goucher, a former world athlete, have voiced support for Thomas and emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to protect the integrity and safety of female athletes in sports.