Olympic champion Gabby Thomas has revealed how her partnership with New Balance transformed her career, calling it a pivotal moment that went beyond financial support.
The 28-year-old sprinter, who claimed three gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, credits the brand for believing in her early on and providing opportunities that extended far beyond the track.
A Career-Defining Partnership
Securing a sponsor as a young athlete is often one of the toughest challenges in sports, but for Thomas, signing with New Balance in 2018 marked a turning point. The Tokyo Olympics 200m bronze medalist described the deal as more than just a financial boost—it was a relationship built on trust and shared values.
“My New Balance partnership was my first sponsor, and it was a total game-changer,” Thomas told Essentially Sports.
“Signing with them wasn’t just about a paycheck; it was about aligning with a brand that truly believed in me from day one.”
Beyond equipping her with top-tier gear, including the Vazee Sigma and Vazee Verge for competition and the Fresh Foam series for training, New Balance also invested in her future outside of athletics. The brand supported her academic pursuits, helping fund her master’s degree in public health with a focus on epidemiology.
More Than an Athlete: A Holistic Approach
What set New Balance apart, according to Thomas, was their commitment to her growth as a person, not just as an athlete.
“They saw me as more than a runner,” Thomas explained.
“They invested in my education, supported my interests outside of sport, and gave me a platform to speak on causes I care about—all while providing the resources I needed to compete at the highest level.”
This holistic approach allowed Thomas to thrive both on and off the track. She joined an elite roster of New Balance athletes, including Vernon Norwood and Trayvon Bromell, further solidifying her place among the sport’s best.
Looking Ahead
Fresh off her Olympic success, Thomas is now setting her sights on new challenges. She recently competed in the inaugural leg of the Michael Johnson-backed Grand Slam Track series in Kingston, Jamaica, with three more events to come. The series offers lucrative cash prizes, adding another layer of motivation for the sprinter.
Later this year, she will aim for gold at the World Championships in Tokyo—a chance to upgrade her 2023 200m silver medal. With New Balance continuing to support her journey, Thomas remains a prime example of how the right sponsorship can elevate an athlete’s career while empowering them beyond the sport.