Olympian Gabby Thomas talks winning gold at 2024 Paris Games

U.S. track star Gabby Thomas earned her first-ever Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

"I wrote down over and over, every morning that I was in Paris, that I will be the Olympic champion in my Notes app … and I envisioned the race all day, every day, imagining myself winning and crossing the line in front," she said in an interview with "CBS Mornings."

The 27-year-old is the Olympic champion in the women's 200-meter sprint.

For Thomas, it's all about preparation — both physical and mental — knowing she was lined up against the best athletes in the world.

"I had known that I had prepared for that moment for years, so that wasn't just a couple days in the making. That was years of practice and training and muscle memory."

Thomas also won gold in the 4x100-meter relay and the 4x400-meter relay. She explained there are challenges when you're part of a relay team.

"When we come together, we have a very short amount of time and that was in Paris and what we have to do is build a rapport, and trust each other and respect each other as athletes."

Thomas also competed in the 2020 Tokyo Games , where she won a silver and bronze medal.

She said although she played different sports growing up, including soccer and basketball, running is always something that has come naturally to her.

"In elementary school, I used to race the boys in P.E. class, and everyone wanted to race me and see if they could beat me because I would always beat the boys," she said.

Off the track, the five-time Olympic medalist is a Harvard graduate, holding a degree in neurobiology. She also has a master's degree in public health.

Thomas offered advice for the young kids who look up to her.

"Focus on your own journey. Just grow, have fun with the sport, find a sport that you love and stick with it."

Thomas plans to stick with track, saying she would love to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games , which will be held in Los Angeles .