Olympic champion Gabrielle “Gabby” Thomas has apologised after failing to recognise Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt from his baby photo during a game featured on the Olympics’ social media platforms.

Thomas addressed the incident in a series of posts on X after facing criticism online for not identifying Bolt and laughing during the exchange.

“I want to genuinely apologise to everyone I upset for not recognising Usain Bolt in his baby photo the other day on the Olympics social media video. I shouldn’t have laughed about it either. I am so embarrassed. I promise to unpack this and will do better,” Thomas said.

The incident occurred during a game in which Thomas was challenged to identify well-known athletes using photographs of them as children.

Responding to the backlash, Thomas stressed that Bolt and other Black track and field stars played an important role in inspiring her generation of athletes.

“I grew up watching Usain Bolt among many other Black track athletes. They inspired me and showed my generation of athletes what Black excellence looks like (on and off the track). I know what he and Noah look like— their baby photos just stumped me. But they shouldn’t have. I would choose to be black in every lifetime,” she said.

“I normally wouldn’t respond, but my comments and DMs are being flooded on every social platform. I fear I really upset my community,” she added.