The three-time Olympic gold medalist evaluates Team USA and opens up about how she’s managing her Graves’ disease.
Now that Olympic track and field is back in the spotlight, we turned to American sprinting legend Gail Devers to share her expectations for Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics.
“We are sending a great team,” Devers said. “I am so excited about the athletes, and I love that they’re young. They’re young to the point where they don’t care if you’re a veteran, they’re ready to send you to your retirement party.”
She’s got her eye on Erriyon Knighton, who at 17 is the youngest athlete to represent the U.S. on the track. Knighton broke Usain Bolt’s junior record in the 200 meters in June and beat the reigning world champion Noah Lyles in two races at the Olympic trials. Devers, who won gold in the 100 meters at the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics, is also excited about Gabby Thomas. Thomas is a Harvard alum pursuing a master’s in epidemiology…and now a bronze medalist in the 200 meters.
But even though Team USA is loaded with talent, the retired sprinter says she expects some healthy competition — especially from Jamaica. The Jamaicans have already claimed quite a few medals in Tokyo, including sweeping the women’s 100 meters.
“Is it going to be easy for us? No. The path is never easy to victory,” she said. “But I think that’s gonna lend to great competition.”
Watch our interview with Devers, who also weighs in on how Olympians are prioritizing their mental health and opens up about how she’s managing her Graves’ disease with the help of personalized wellness company Thorne.
