Olympic champion Gabby Thomas calls out ‘gross' behaviour after being harassed at Grand Slam Track
Three-times Olympic gold medallist Gabby Thomas said she was verbally abused at the Grand Slam Track meet in Philadelphia last weekend, the latest incident of harassment the American has reported this year.
Thomas, who won gold in the 200 metres, and 4x100m and 4x400m relays in Paris, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that a man followed her around the track while she took pictures for fans and signed autographs, shouting personal insults at her.
"Anybody who enables him online is gross," wrote Thomas.
Thomas' post was in response to another on X which contained a video of a person heckling Thomas while she was on the starting line, shouting "you're a choke artist - you're going down, Gabby".
"I made Gabby lose by heckling her. And it made my parlay win," the social media user wrote, with a screenshot of two multi-leg bets on the FanDuel sportsbook platform.
Grand Slam Track did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
One of American track's brightest stars, Thomas catapulted to mainstream fame after her breakout performance in Paris, gracing the cover of American "Vogue" magazine and appearing on US talk shows.
But Thomas has also suffered the darker side of fame, describing on TikTok this year how she was stalked by a group of men at several airports, as social media gives female athletes greater exposure.
The incident at Grand Slam Track also reflected a growing link between sports betting and harassment, with female tennis players including Caroline Garcia pointing to "unhealthy betting" as a key culprit.
Major tennis governing bodies moved to combat online abuse published last year a report that attributed nearly half of abusive social media posts to angry gamblers.
"Thank you for pointing out this disgusting behaviour," retired former world 10,000 metres silver medallist and NBC Sports commentator Kara Goucher wrote on X. "You are exposing the crap that women go through and will eventually help other women as well."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
23 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Belmont Stakes 2025 – Runner-by-runner guide and tips
The Belmont Stakes – the final race of the US Triple Crown – is being run for a second straight year over a reduced distance (1m 2f instead of 1m 4f) in upstate New York at Saratoga, while the track after which it is named undergoes reconstruction. The race is live on Sky Sports Racing in the early hours of Sunday. Our in-house expert Ron Wood, who tipped Preakness winner Journalism in the second leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico, is back with another comprehensive horse-by-horse guide, plus his verdict and selection. Odds provided by William Hill and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (max 5). If you already have a William Hill account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts. Belmont Stakes – 12.04am BST, Sunday Ron Wood's Belmont Stakes verdict What a race this is. It features the 1-2-3 from last month's Kentucky Derby – Sovereignty, Journalism and BAEZA – and these three look like the runners to concentrate on. Journalism has already been out since and won the Preakness, overcoming serious traffic, and there is still more to come from him, although Sovereignty and Baeza have been kept fresh specifically for this race since the Derby. BAEZA is fancied to prove best. The selection is a big horse, a May foal, some three months younger than Sovereignty, and looks to have improvement in him. John Shirreffs' runner was second to Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby before finishing third in the Kentucky Derby, and is still learning his trade. He was in front soon after the line in both those races, and at Churchill Downs he had been stopped in his run when about to make a move at the same time as the winner on the home turn. Given he has little to find with the top two in the market, and still has the potential for plenty more, he's an appealing option to emulate his half-brother, Dornoch, who won this race last year. Journalism (7) – 9/4 with William Hill Trainer: Michael McCarthy; Jockey: Umberto Rispoli: Outstayed by Sovereignty, who challenged from further back, when runner-up in 1m 2f Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Most recently overcame serious trouble in running to win the 1m 1½f Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, getting up late. The Derby winner and third come into this without having had a run in between, so may be fresher than him, but this colt looks top class. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Baeza (6) – 7/2 with William Hill Trainer: John Shirreffs; Jockey: Flavien Prat: Half-brother to last year's winner Dornoch, as well as 2023 Kentucky Derby hero Mage. Big May foal who's still finding his way. Met traffic at a crucial point in the Derby at Churchill Downs, before keeping on for third, and he was ahead of the first two soon after the line (likewise when second to Journalism in April's Santa Anita Derby). Trained for this race since and looks made for it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rodriguez (3) – 10/1 with William Hill Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: Mike Smith: Late-May foal who won the 1m 1f Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on his first start without blinkers. Forced to miss the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with a foot issue. Had an easy lead from the inside stall at Aqueduct, but may now face early competition up front from Crudo. His sire improved through his three-year-old season for the same connections. ⭐⭐⭐ Hill Road (1) – 14/1 with William Hill Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey: Irad Ortiz: Former Irish runner who stayed on for third in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on his dirt debut. Has had an interrupted schedule this season but shaped well on both starts, most recently winning a Grade 3 race over 1m 1f at Aqueduct. This is a much tougher assignment but the stamina test will suit him. ⭐⭐⭐ Crudo (5) – 20/1 with William Hill Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: John Velazquez: Has won his last two starts over 7f and 1m ½f from the front by big margins, most recently a minor stakes race on the Preakness undercard at Pimlico, but has a lot to find on the figures. ⭐ Heart Of Honor (8) – 33/1 with William Hill Trainer: Jamie Osborne; Jockey: Saffie Osborne: British-trained runner who was a non-threatening fifth after blowing the start in the Preakness at Pimlico. Might do better now, but doesn't look fast enough to seriously challenge. ⭐ Uncaged (4) – 100/1 with William Hill Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Luis Saez: Not remotely good enough on the evidence of his four starts to date, but has won both his starts on wet tracks, so presumably his respected connections think he can be competitive if the rain arrives. (His dam was a Grade 3 winner on a wet track.) ⭐ Odds courtesy of William Hill and correct at time of writing. Royal Ascot is less than two away. Find the best Royal Ascot free bets and betting offers Last 10 Belmont Stakes winners Star ratings explained ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy ⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims ⭐⭐ - tentative choice ⭐ - minimum confidence If you want to find more odds and offers, take a look at our list of the best betting sites and free bets If you're looking for casino bonuses, we've ranked UK welcome offers here
Daily Mail
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The wildest Diddy conspiracy theories to emerge from his trial as celebs fear they will be named next: Live updates
Sean ' Diddy ' Combs is expected to face a third alleged victim on the stand during his trafficking and racketeering trial in New York City. The disgraced music mogul, 55, sat with a poker face Tuesday as a security guard testified that he took $100,000 to bury footage that showed Diddy viciously attacking his longtime girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway in 2016. Prosecutors have made the footage of Combs kicking, beating and dragging Cassie at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles a centerpiece of their federal case against him. They contend it supports the claims of three women, including Cassie, who allege the Bad Boy Records founder sexually and physically abused them over two decades. Tuesday's testimony comes after that of Diddy's former assistant and alleged victim Mia, who followed Cassie as the second of three key prosecution witnesses. The third, using the pseudonym 'Jane,' will testify later this week. Diddy has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers concede he could be violent, but he denies using threats or his music industry clout to commit abuse. The wild conspiracy theories sparked by Diddy's bombshell trial Sean 'Diddy' Combs's sex trafficking trial has spawned a slew of wild baseless conspiracy theories linking the music mogul to several high-profile figures. DIDDY'S MANSION SPARED FROM RAMPANT LA FIRES When a series of deadly wildfires tore through southern California in January, conspiracy theorists made baseless claims the infernos were started to 'cover up' Diddy's alleged sex crimes - and protect any allies he may have left. JUSTIN BIEBER ABUSED BY DIDDY After Diddy was accused of a string of depraved crimes, there was widespread fears among Justin Bieber fans that the singer may have been sexually abused by the rap mogul during his early years in the music industry. Concern first erupted last year after a video resurfaced of Combs and Bieber - who was a minor at the time - hanging out for '48 hours.' The pair also worked together on an album. Bieber has now denied that he was one of the mogul's victims, but that has not stopped social media users from speculating. BEYONCE AND JAY-Z RAN CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE WITH DIDDY Beyoncé and Jay-Z were baselessly accused of being involved in a criminal enterprise with Diddy last year. The allegations surfaced on Piers Morgan's Uncensored show when singer Jaguar Wright, who appeared as a guest on the program, suggested the pair had committed crimes similar to those of which Diddy has been accused. Wright told the media personality she had been 'screaming' that 'Diddy and Jay-Z are monsters' for four years. But Morgan was forced to issue an apology to the famous couple after their lawyers contacted him, saying the allegations were 'totally false and have no basis in fact'. WILL SMITH SOLD HIS DAUGHTER TO DIDDY A fake news story, based on no evidence whatsoever, went viral in October last year, alleging that Will Smith sold his daughter Willow Smith to Diddy. The article featured a doctored image of Willow, 23, and the rap mogul in bed together, prompting widespread speculation that she had been harmed by Diddy. The outlandish Liam Payne death theories such as 'Diddy assassination' Outlandish theories suggesting a link between Liam Payne's death and his 'fearful' encounter with rapper Sean 'Diddy ' Combs have emerged hours after his fatal fall on Wednesday. Who will testify on Wednesday? Video expert Frank Piazza is expected to take the stand Wednesday morning. They will likely be followed by Bryana Bongolan - Cassie Ventura's friend who might testify about being dangled over the side of a building by Diddy. Radio personality Enrique Santos is also on the witness list. Moreover, an alleged victim, who will testify under the pseudonym of Jane, is expected to testify this week for the prosecution. Prosecutors told the court on Monday that Jane should be taking the stand as soon as Wednesday afternoon.
Daily Mail
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Phoenix Suns drops asking price for Kevin Durant in trade talks, NBA insider claims
The Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets aren't actively discussing a Kevin Durant deal, but that could change quickly as summer trade season heats up, according to The Athletic's Kelly Iko. The reason, as Iko reports, is that the Suns have gradually reduced their asking price for the future Hall of Famer in any trade scenario. And while 'aggressive' Phoenix has yet to entice Houston, there is a price point where the Rockets would become interested, according to Iko. Durant was the crown jewel of the team makeover after new owner Mat Ishbia bought the Suns in 2022. The former Texas Longhorns star did not come cheaply, however, as Phoenix surrendered four unprotected first-round picks and a future pick swap as well as Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal. At the time, then-ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported the trade was Ishbia's idea, writing it was 'very much on the ownership level' between the Suns boss and Nets governor Joe Tsai. Ishbia pushed back on that reporting soon after, saying the decision was unanimous. 'It wasn't a tough decision,' he told reporters in Phoenix. 'We really didn't want to give up some of the guys, because we love those guys. They were winners and we didn't want to give them up. 'But at the end of the day the right decision was, what do we do to maximize our team for today and for the next three to four years? This is going to be what the Phoenix Suns are about.' The Suns would go on to add high-scoring Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal to a core that already included Devin Booker, while Ishbia reiterated his desire to keep Durant in Phoenix. When the Rockets were reportedly interested in Durant in 2024, Ishbia shot down any trade speculation. 'Everyone talking about the drama and storylines, some are right and some are just wrong,' Ishbia wrote. 'My turn. Phoenix loves Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant loves Phoenix, and we are competing for a championship this year because we have the team to do it.' The billionaire even told reporters in November he expected to sign Durant to a contract extension. Then the Suns fell off the map, missing the playoffs at 36-46 as Durant, Booker and Beal once again struggled to gel under coach Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after the season. Ishbia owned up to the debacle with reporters after the season finale. 'Embarrassing season, right?' Ishbia said. 'Disappointing. Awful. I watch every game like all you guys do and no one's proud of it, no one's happy with it, from me, to the front office, to the coaches and players, to the marketing executives to the security guards. 'It was a failure.' If Ishbia did have one success in 2024-25, it was his popular decision to reduce concessions prices with a new $2 menu. Although they don't currently have their own first-round pick, the Suns do have the 29th selection in this month's NBA Draft.
