“If you are pushing this society forward… there is so much hate for it.” Olympics Gold medalist Gabby Thomas started her journey as a standout athlete at Harvard, balancing her passion for track and field with an intense focus on neurobiology. Named Ivy League’s “Most Outstanding Track Performer” in 2017 and 2018, she made history by breaking the NCAA record in the 200 meters. Now she, along with a Paralympic champion, has made it their mission to expose the dark reality of women in track & field.
In the wake of Women’s History Month, track and field athletes Scout Bassett and Gabby Thomas took to the Op-Ed section of Women’s Health to explain equal rights and pay for women in sports. They revealed shocking statistics highlighting the stark difference between men’s and women’s sports. Notably, the research found that at the collegiate level, men receive $252 million more in athletic financial aid and 60,000 additional sports opportunities compared to women. Those numbers haunt a lot of sports athletes.
The opportunity gap at all levels disproportionately impacts athletes who look like us—BIPOC girls and women and those with disabilities, as mentioned in the article.
The 2024 Paris Olympics were historic, achieving full gender parity for the first time. Women athletes had an equal number of spots in the Games as their male counterparts.
However, despite these strides, barriers and gender bias persist. Competing at the Olympics and winning medals requires significant financial investment, something Gabby Thomas has openly analyzed. During a March 2025 appearance on the “Networth and Chill” podcast, someone asked Thomas about the cost of being an Olympic runner.
She revealed that her journey to her first Olympics in Tokyo required an investment of between $50,000 – $100,000. Although she’s successful, the financial strain highlights the inequality in sports.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Thomas has consistently advocated for women’s rights and equality in track and field. She has also taken a strong stance against online trolls, proving that she is not just an elite athlete but also a formidable voice for change. A global sports salary survey by Sporting Intelligence in 2017 showed that, among elite athletes, women earn on average only 1% of what men earn.
Now you know why they struggle financially!
No women featured among the Forbes 2024 list of the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world, and prize money for women’s sports continues to lag behind men’s. Despite progress in women’s sports, inequalities persist. Athletes like Gabby Thomas and Scout Bassett speak out, pushing for change, and refusing to let these issues remain unspoken.
Their voices become a powerful reminder that while strides have been made, the fight for gender equality in sports is far from over. Many other female athletes have voiced criticisms or actions in sports in recent years.
Prominent athletes becoming influential through their acts
The woman who built the platform, so to speak, for athletes like Gabby Thomas to stand up for themselves is Allyson Felix, the former U.S. Olympic track star from Los Angeles and USC alumna. Felix was named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” in 2021, gracing its cover.
Her influence extended beyond the competition. She took a stand when her shoe sponsor, Nike, attempted to penalize her for taking time off to have her child in 2018. At the time, Nike was still negotiating with her but sought to cut her pay by 70 percent, prompting her to advocate for maternity protections in sponsorship deals.
A shift in perspective was also seen in gymnastics when Simone Biles withdrew from the Olympic competition due to the “twisties,” a terrifying disorientation in mid-air. Her decision highlighted that an athlete’s mental state is just as important as physical ability.
It also became an idea reinforced by tennis star Naomi Osaka, who openly discussed the pressures of high-stakes championship tennis and the toll it took on her mental health.
Despite progress, gender inequalities in sports remain. Gabby Thomas, Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Allyson Felix have all played a crucial role in pushing these issues to the spotlight. Their advocacy inspires change, proving the fight for equality is far from over.
As more female athletes speak out, the hope is for a future where women in sports get respected. They deserve the same opportunities, financial backing, and respect as their male counterparts. All in all, things continue to change. However, it’s a slow process.
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