Dina Asher-Smith lined up at the TRACK at New Balance, eyes fixed ahead, shoulders loose! The last time she ran an indoor 300m? Nearly a decade ago, as a rising teenager in British athletics. Now, she was chasing one of the world’s best, Julien Alfred. The Caribbean powerhouse rocketed ahead, but Asher-Smith surged into second, clocking 36.87. A solid time, but what stood out? Her closing speed. But that is not all! Who else was in the house? Gabby Thomas watched it all unfold, not present as a participant though, but just as an audience. Former greats are also weighing in as Smith now returns as a renewed threat. She may not have won, but she has definitely sent a message!
The 2025 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix lit up Boston on February 2, drawing world-class talent to the track at New Balance. Julien Alfred and Dina Asher-Smith headlined the women’s 300m, and a rising field was hungry for a statement win. Alfred blazed down the track, unstoppable at 36.16. Asher-Smith was close behind, pushing hard to the finish line. They were only 0.71s apart, but Thomas’ effort has done enough to get the former pro buzzing. But wait, there’s much more to it!
Former Bahamian track and field icon Rodney Green, speaking on ‘Ready Set Go,’ the YouTube show he co-hosts with Justin Gatlin, took notice yesterday and said, “Like, I don’t know, but Gabby Thomas was in the stands watching, and I know she took note—she saw it. And yeah, that’s the silver medalist and the gold medalist up there. And we all know Dina Asher-Smith is very capable, very capable. Don’t sleep on that young girl—she showed us a few flashes of greatness last year. I think she’s going to show a lot more flashes this year.” The warning is clear that Asher-Smith isn’t done, and Gabby needs to watch out!
The stats somewhat also support the argument. Asher-Smith seems to have recalibrated after falling short at the 200 m final in Paris. The Brit came back strong after a slight dip to notch up 100 m in 10.88 in Lausanne, faster than the time (11.02) that got her a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Now, she’s brought that into 2025 and has shone at New Balance by clocking her personal best in 300 m.
Gabby Thomas, who had a seat in the audience at Boston as she watched Dina Asher-Smith commence her campaign at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, had a phenomenal year in 2024! After all, Thomas has spent 2024 showing that she belonged among the elite of sprinting, which started with dominating the U.S. Olympic Trials (clocked 21.81 in 200m), followed by Diamond League victory in 200m, and then came three gold medals in Paris.
And Thomas knows what’s coming. The 2025 season will be relentless, with more expectations and more moments where every fraction of a second will count!
Gabby Thomas Prepares for a Demanding Season
Gabby Thomas could have taken a step back after Paris after winning three Olympic golds: 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m, and would have made that decision understandable. Instead, she’s going for broke in the ‘Pretty Demanding’ season, and her schedule will be relentless. Right from the debut of Grand Slam Track (April), the U.S. National Championships (July-August), then the World Championships (September), and another Athlos meet (September).
Thomas is also excited about LA 28. She believes her preparation is good for her next Olympic cycle. “The gold medals add pressure, but they give me confidence and show me what I’m capable of,” she told Time Magazine on February 6. “So I’m definitely looking forward to the next couple of years.”
She knows rivals like Julien Alfred, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Dina Asher-Smith are raising their games. She may have outrun and outsmarted the best in the world to reach the Paris podium. But in sprinting, dominance is never a sure thing. On top of that? She continues her work at a local health clinic (she holds a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology and global health and a master’s in epidemiology) while balancing elite competition with volunteering and public service. “The fact that LA 2028 is in America, in my home country, I just don’t think it could be wrapped more beautifully for me,” she said.
But for Thomas, it is 2025 that will bring every test to her after her fairy tale run in 2024!
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