Triple Olympic champion Gabby Thomas recently delivered a sharp rebuke to Riley Gaines following her critique of Caitlin Clark’s remarks. The controversy began when Clark, named Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year, acknowledged her white privilege might have influenced the accolade, even as she emphasized her own outstanding performance this season. While celebrating her achievements, Clark also recognized the contributions of Black athletes, stating that many of the league’s top players have been foundational to its success.
Clark’s comments struck a balance between humility and self-recognition. She admitted, “I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege. This league has kind of been built on [Black players],” acknowledging the larger context of race in professional sports. Despite her nuanced perspective, her remarks invited backlash from Riley Gaines, a former swimmer and vocal critic of various athletes.
Gaines criticized Clark’s statement, suggesting she unnecessarily injected race into the conversation. On X (formerly Twitter), Gaines wrote, “No one was asking Caitlin Clark to position herself as a right-wing hero. All she needed to do was remain neutral.” While she praised Clark as a phenomenal athlete who inspires young girls, Gaines concluded that Clark “missed the mark” with her comments.
This public critique did not sit well with Gabby Thomas, the reigning Olympic 200m champion. Known for her usually calm demeanor, Thomas lashed out at Gaines, expressing frustration over her habit of weighing in on every controversy. Thomas took to social media, stating, “Girl, are you fr??? You don’t have to share your opinion on everything, just sit this one out.” Her candid reaction underscored her disdain for Gaines’ unsolicited commentary.
Thomas’ fiery response highlights the growing discourse surrounding race, privilege, and recognition in sports. Her defense of Clark serves as a reminder that conversations about systemic inequities often provoke varied and intense reactions. For Thomas, however, the message was clear: some opinions are better left unspoken.
