Gabby Thomas is winning at life, and you might ask how? Well, three Olympic gold medals in Paris? Check. A Harvard degree and a Master’s in public health? Double check. A net worth sitting pretty between $1 to $5 million at just 28? Honestly, what more could Gabby Thomas ask for? Oh, wait… how about true love? Yep, she’s got that too! The track and field queen is now officially engaged to Spencer McManes after saying “yes” to the love of her life. But does that mean her career is over?

No way! Her recent engagement to longtime boyfriend Spencer McManes has fans talking—but not for the reason you’d expect. Word is, Gabby’s engagement might be a golden hint at what’s coming next. So, what’s the scoop?

Well, there’s a fascinating pattern in women’s 200m history that suggests tying the knot after winning Olympic gold increases the odds of defending that title at the next Games. Yes! So, we know Gabby Thomas won 3 gold medals in the Paris Olympics. And seems Gabby might be on track to repeat her gold medal success in 2028. But how?

Just check the history books. Barbel Eckert won gold in the women’s 200m at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and four years later, after marrying and competing as Barbel Wockel, she successfully defended her title at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. And then we have Veronica Campbell followed a similar path, winning her first 200m gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics. After marrying fellow sprinter Omar Brown in 2007, she came back stronger and defended her title at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, competing as Veronica Campbell-Brown. Wait!! There are more.

Elaine Thompson kept this streak alive, winning the 200m gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. After marrying coach Derron Herah in 2019, she returned to the track and once again claimed gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 due to the pandemic), now as Elaine Thompson-Herah. Now, with Gabby on the same path, it’s hard not to wonder if history is about to repeat itself.

Love and gold seem to be a winning combo in track and field, and with her heart full and her dreams set on 2028, Gabby might just be gearing up for another unforgettable Olympic run. If this trend keeps up, that engagement ring might be bringing more than just wedding bliss—it could be paving the way for even more gold. But for now, she is winning gold in love after a romantic proposal!

Spencer McManes slid into Gabby Thomas’s DMs and won her heart

Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes’ love story feels like one of those feel-good rom-coms where everything just clicks. Gabby, who knows Spencer isn’t exactly a master of surprises, was totally thrown off when he pulled off the perfect proposal. Picture this: they’re on a cozy staycation in Austin, Texas, chilling at an Airbnb, when Spencer takes her to the rooftop. Suddenly, there’s a photographer and her best friend there, and that’s when it hit her, “Oh my gosh, this is happening,” she told Vogue, still in disbelief.

And when the moment finally came? Spencer got down on one knee, and Gabby was all smiles, showing off her diamond ring in photos that practically screamed, fairy tale vibes. She even joked that she “fell in love with him despite the fact he went to Yale,” which, coming from a Harvard alum, is saying something! But their story didn’t just start with that magical proposal. Back in 2021, some mutual friends decided to play matchmaker, convinced that Gabby and Spencer would hit it off.

Gabby, clearly intrigued by Spencer’s “quality content” on Instagram (yes, including his pizza reviews), gave him a follow. Spencer wasted no time—he slid into her DMs almost immediately, asking, “What did I do to deserve this follow?” Smooth move, right? Their first date in 2022, at a speakeasy, lasted over three hours because, well, when you’re vibing, who’s looking at the clock? Since then, they’ve been inseparable, with Spencer diving headfirst into learning everything about track and field to be the ultimate supportive boyfriend.

By the time Gabby dominated the 2024 Paris Olympics, bringing home three gold medals in the 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m, Spencer was right there, cheering like her biggest fan. And after her epic wins, he took to Instagram, pouring his heart out: “You’re not only a world-class athlete but also a world-class friend, teammate, and girlfriend.” Reflecting on everything they’ve been through, Spencer told Vogue that their journey through the ups and downs of an Olympic season only made their bond stronger. These two aren’t just a couple—they’re a dream team.