Olympic gold medallist Gabby Thomas claims that a gang of males had been following her at airports in several cities, so she sought her social media fans for help.
Five-time Olympic medallist Thomas claimed in a TikTok video on Tuesday that she has been harassed by a gang of men who have shown up at airports around the nation while she is traveling and asked her to sign a stack of photos. She claims the guys have been “aggressive and hostile” when she rejects them, even if she thinks they are resellers.
“It doesn’t matter what city,” Thomas stated. “They have visited me on my way to and from Miami as well as on my way to and from Chicago. They also have the details of my flight.”
According to her, three to six of the males had arrived at the airport entrance. However, Thomas claimed that they have also contacted her at her gate or concourse, indicating that they seem to need a plane ticket in order to pass through airport security.
She said that when she travels alone, the experiences are very terrifying. Thomas claimed that she is “freaking” out since they appear to know exactly where and when she is traveling.
“What scares me is that they have my flight information even when I don’t even know what time I’m flying out sometimes I don’t tell anyone my flight information,” Thomas stated.
Thomas competed in her second Olympics in Paris last year and won three gold medals. She had placed second and third at the Tokyo Games a few years earlier, so this was a redemption.
As she prepared for the international competition while juggling volunteer work at a health clinic in Austin, Texas, and neurobiology classes at Harvard University, Thomas inspired many.
Thomas is now seeking advice from her more than 260,000 followers in order to feel secure while traveling once more.
When Thomas said, “I don’t know what to do,” “Any advice is welcome.”
Commenters sympathized and agreed that the situation is concerning. Ilona Maher, a fellow Olympian, described it as “so scary.”
Thomas responded, “These guys are done,” to Maher. “Once I figure this out they won’t be harassing anyone else.”
Coco Gauff, a tennis player, claimed to have experienced the same thing.
“This happens to me too, I don’t know how it happens,” wrote Gauff. “My theory is maybe someone at the airport tips them off.”
Others suggested calling the FBI and looking through her accounts for any linked applications the males might be using.
To begin keeping a record of the interactions, one commenter advised her to report the incidents to both airport security and her local police. Another suggested that Thomas try to scare the men away by recording them.
She posted a video of two males at Chicago O Hare International Airport responding to her message. She claims that the males were “stalking” her in the video. As she records, one man covers his face with a hood and leaves.
“I took this video once when they were following me past TSA,” wrote Thomas. “I’ll check to see who I can inform about it. I’ll keep filming and taking photos. It frightened them off.