Gabby Thomas set for Kenyan debut at Kip Keino Classic

Olympic sprint sensation Gabby Thomas will make her Kenyan debut at the Kip Keino Classic on April 24, 2026.

The triple Paris 2024 gold medallist, renowned for her 200m prowess, confirmed her participation via social media, marking her first competition in Africa.

The 29-year-old, a five-time Olympic medallist, will kick off her 2026 season with an ambitious three-stop African tour, according to NBC News.

Her campaign will begin in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before heading to Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi for the Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour event honouring Kenyan legend Kipchoge Keino, and will conclude in Botswana, according to a post on her X page.

?? April 18th- Addis Ababa Grand Prix, Ethiopia
?? 24th- Kip Keino Classic, Kenya
?? 26th- Botswana Golden Grand Prix
See you there! ?

— Gabby Thomas (@itsgabbyt) April 7, 2026

Thomas is prioritising full recovery from a nagging Achilles injury that sidelined her from the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, but her record remains strong.

The setback tested her resilience, with the sprinter terming the tour a calculated build-up. “I delayed my season to ensure complete recovery,” she told Olympics.com, emphasising long-term fitness over a rushed return.

While her race distances in Africa are yet to be confirmed, her pedigree, including gold in the 200m and 4x100m relay in Paris, makes her a major attraction.

She recently clocked a personal best-equalling 11.00 seconds in the 100m at the Texas Relays, underlining her readiness for the season.

Nairobi’s seventh Kip Keino Classic at Nyayo is expected to draw large crowds, with Thomas’ presence set to elevate the event.

For Kenya’s athletics scene, her visit underscores the Kip Keino Classic’s growing prestige since its 2020 launch, with past editions drawing capacity crowds and producing record-breaking performances.