Gabby Thomas won three gold medals at the Paris Olympic Games.
Olympics champion Gabby Thomas has made a strong stand regarding an unending problem in track and field, calling for lifetime bans for the culprits.
Track and field continues to be rocked by doping cases with a number of athletes falling foul to the rules around the world.
Kenyan athletes have been in the spotlight in recent years but the issue is widespread across the globe with American sprinter Fred Kerley among the latest to be sanctioned after he was handed a provisional suspension this month for whereabouts failures. Star Athletics club is also in the eye of a s torm after Marvin Bracy-Williams’ provisional suspension.
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The doping menace has still not stopped even with the increased technology with a high number of athletes suspended and Thomas feels a strong message needs to be sent.
“Doping coaches should be banned for life from coaching in the sport. Whether you were banned while competing as an athlete or caught distributing as a coach (for some, both),” the American posted on her Instagram stories.
“Idc idc idc. If you train under a coach who is known for doping (once, twice, or even three times for some) you are complicit. That’s my stance.”
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Thomas believes a strong punishment like the life bans will dissuade athletes, coaches or their agents from engaging in doping which will lead to a clean sport, something she has been keen to see throughout her career.
“When I graduated from college, I came into this sport sooo naive. After six years, I just want better for athletes. We deserve it. My goal is to leave this sport better than I found it,” Thomas further posted on X.
Legislation around doping has been slammed as ‘weak’ as athletes get away with bans when caught cheating but there has been a push to have them jailed or banned for life.
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