Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas has arrived in the Ethiopian capital ahead of the highly anticipated Addis Ababa Grand Prix. Her arrival marks a significant milestone for the region, as the city prepares to host its first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour event.

The American sprint sensation, who dominated the 2024 Paris Olympics with victories in the 200m and both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays, expressed her enthusiasm for competing on Ethiopian soil for the first time.

“It will be my first time competing here in Ethiopia,” Thomas told reporters upon her arrival. “I am running the 100 and the 200 and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Thomas enters the competition in peak form, having already clocked a personal-best-equaling 11.00 seconds in the 100m earlier this month at the Texas Relays. Despite the challenges of competing at high altitude, Thomas remains confident in her preparation. “I expect to run well and have a great competition,” she noted.