Poetry, in motion.
Across 200m, not many can outshine USA star Gabby Thomas. A bronze medalist in the race in 2021, the 27-year-old sprinter has emerged as one of the world's most daunting sights when coming down the bend, a mystifying amalgam of speed, technique, tactics, and endurance that can strike down even the liveliest of runners.
Thomas has come on leaps and bounds since her third-place finish in Tokyo. The Harvard alum bested her Olympic showing during last year's World Championships, nabbing a silver medal for her efforts. She vanquished all comers — including Sha'Carri Richardson — to take home the 200m crown at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. Thomas did so in style, too, recording a blistering 21.81s time in the event, one of the fastest women's 200m runs this season.
MORE: Meet Gabby Thomas' dad and other family members
It's little surprise why Thomas is viewed as a likely candidate for gold in her signature event. If so, she would join Allyson Felix, Florence Griffith-Joyner, and Wilma Rudolph as American women to capture an aureate locket in the 200m. That's not bad company to be placed in.
Thomas is a burgeoning American sports icon, and like a great many sports stars, her personal life has also come into focus recently.
With that, here's what you need to know about Thomas' boyfriend, an Ivy League-educated athlete in his own right, Spencer McManes.
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Who is Gabby Thomas' boyfriend?
Thomas is dating former Yale quarterback Spencer McManes. A native of Roswell, Ga., McManes initially came to local prominence as a member of Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, setting school records for career touchdowns (35) and career passing yards (3,921). He also was a talented baseball player, shining as an outfielder during his high school days
McManes matriculated at Yale, joining the football team. He didn't play much, however; a glance at his trading card would reveal very little.
Nevertheless, McManes graduated from the school in 2017 with a degree in Political Science and Government. He then worked at Alexandria, Va.-based firm the MyChrystal Group before setting sail for Austin, Tex. In Aug. 2023, McManes joined data privacy software company DataGrail as a Senior Custom Success Manager.
An avid rugby player, McManes has gone from strength-to-strength since his graduation, even starting a non-alcoholic kava seltzer brand, entitled "Kaviva."
"In the Summer of 2022, Spencer began his quest to create the future of drinking," Kaviva's official website reads. "He still wanted to go out and feel an elevated experience, but without the negative impacts of alcohol."
"Now, he is serving the world Kaviva, a hangover-free buzz, and the future of drinking!"
The exact origins of McManes and Thomas' relationship are clouded in mystery. However, it appears that the couple started dating around Oct. 2022 when Thomas opted to move to Austin to pursue her Master's Degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas and train with famed coach Tonja Buford-Bailey, so perhaps the two met there. They certainly have a lot in common; both were sports stars at Ivy League schools and both have Georgia roots — Thomas was born in Atlanta and lived there until 2007 when her family decided to move to Massachusetts.
The two appear as thick and thieves, with McManes' family routinely offering support for Thomas in her athletic endeavors. McManes is no exception, draping himself in a New Balance shirt that featured the words "Team Gabby" on its front.
Another strong showing by Thomas in the 200m could spawn a similar wardrobe choice for McManes.
