The 27-year-old sprinter blazed to victory in the 200m at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday night, the crowning achievement of a sprinting career that Thomas says was forged by her upbringing.
Raised by a single parent, Jennifer Randall, who herself rose from poverty to become a professor of psychometrics, Thomas says her mother set the template for her academic and athletic success.
"She's a go-getter," Thomas told The Guardian in a recent interview.
"She grew up in true poverty in Mobile, Alabama. But she went after it. And she just showed me through her actions, what it was like to do the same.
Denne historien er fra August 08, 2024-utgaven av The Citizen.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 08, 2024-utgaven av The Citizen.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Sundowns ready to launch another bid for Adams
According to information gathered by Phakaaathi, Mamelodi Sundowns will bid again for Stellenbosch FC midfielder Jayden Adams (below) when the January transfer window opens.
Mayo finds his scoring boots with Algerian giants
Khanyisa Mayo (left) has finally found his scoring form at Algerian giants CR Belouizdad.
Campbell is showing his mettle at Belgian outfit
Shandre Campbell (right) scored another superb goal for Belgian side Club NXT as they beat France Borains 2-1 in Belgium's first division B on Sunday.
Bradman's cap set to fetch R4.7m
A cap worn by Australia's greatest batsman, Don Bradman, will be auctioned in Sydney today, with the tattered \"baggy green\" expected to fetch as much as $260 000 (about R4.7 million).
Blitzboks not up to scratch
After finishing sixth at the season-opening Dubai Sevens tournament last weekend, Philip Snyman and his charges will be desperate to hit back and challenge for the title at home in Cape Town this weekend.
Stormers man ruled out again
Hopes that Stormers utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (below) would anchor himself in the team were dashed following his concussion over the past weekend.
'BE YOURSELVES'
PROTEAS: MANAGEMENT STYLE IS PRODUCING RESULTS
All Max wanted was to be 'nice'
Max Verstappen (above) made clear his feelings about George Russell's actions leading to him being stripped of pole position when he spoke out after winning Sunday's chaotic Qatar Grand Prix.
Head pays rich tribute to Bumrah
Sydney - India's Jasprit Bumrah (right) will go down as \"one of the greatest fast bowlers to play the game\", Australia's Travis Head said yesterday, ahead of the day-night Test in Adelaide this week.
Lions hoping to sharpen claws
EPCR: DESPERATE TO REGAIN WINNING FORM IN WALES
