Olympic champion Gabby Thomas confirms Kip Keino Classic participation

Olympic champion Gabby Thomas has confirmed she will headline the 2026 Kip Keino Classic, marking her long-awaited debut on African soil.

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The triple Olympic champion is set to compete at the Nairobi meet on Friday, 24 April, as part of a packed early-season schedule that will see her race across multiple continents.

The American sprint star announced her participation via her social media platforms, outlining a three-stop campaign that could culminate in selection for Team USA at the World Athletics Relays.

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Thomas will kick off her African tour at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday, 18 April, before heading to Nairobi for the Kip Keino Classic.

She will then wrap up the stretch at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix in Gaborone on Sunday, 26 April.

Her participation in the Kip Keino Classic adds star power to one of Africa’s premier track and field events, with fans set to witness one of the world’s most accomplished sprinters compete on the continent for the first time.

The 27-year-old has already signalled strong form early in the 2026 season.

She opened her campaign at the Texas Relays, where she stormed to victory in the women’s 100m, equaling her personal best time of 11.00 seconds despite challenging cold and wet conditions.

“One of the better season openers today. Got the win at Texas Relays and tied my 100m PB in some cold and wet conditions. Having tons of fun. Still lots of work to do this season. Gonna keep chopping wood,” she shared after the race.

Thomas’ return to competition comes after a challenging 2025 season, where she was forced to withdraw from the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships due to a persistent Achilles tendon injury.

The issue, which had lingered since May, worsened mid-season, prompting her and her team to prioritise recovery over competition.

Despite qualifying for the championships with a third-place finish at the US Outdoor Championships, she made the difficult decision to pull out just weeks before the event, citing the need to protect her long-term health following a demanding Olympic cycle.

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Her absence opened the door for Melissa Jefferson-Wooden to claim victory, while Amy Hunt secured second place.

Now fully fit and back on track, Thomas will be eager to make a statement in Africa, with the Kip Keino Classic offering her the perfect stage to launch her international season and build momentum toward the year’s major championships.