When Gabby Thomas announced her withdrawal from the Tokyo World Championships, it sent shockwaves across the track world. In her confession, she lashed out, “I am a human being first, and I am not a racecar. I’m not a source of entertainment for people, right? I need to take care of my own body and listen to it.” Thomas had been battling an Achilles tendon injury since May, yet she still competed at the USATF Championships, clocking 22.20s in the 200m. With Thomas stepping aside, McKenzie Long received the call to join the US team, a life-changing opportunity she seized with both hands, running with determination to prove she could be the perfect replacement.
She certainly flexed her class in the heats, scorching the 200m in a stellar 22.51s to claim victory in the third heat, with Ashanti Moore and Sophia Junk finishing behind her in 22.57s and 22.81s, respectively. Stepping in as a replacement, Long has more than lived up to expectations, seamlessly earning her spot in the semifinals, just as one would expect from the world No. 8. Reflecting with the media, she fondly recalled the pivotal call she received while in Europe, a moment that ultimately helped secure her place on the team.
“So initially, I was in the relay pool. I was leaving the third from Zurich to come on over to Tokyo. I didn’t know that I got the phone call until I woke up. Thank you. Good job. I got the phone call at like 1:00 a.m. because I was in Europe. They didn’t know I was in Europe, but I didn’t answer it because I was asleep. Then my coach woke up, and we were going to leave on the plane. He was like, “You’ve got to have a serious conversation with me.” I was like, “What did I do?” Immediately, my heart started racing,” said Long.
Her coach certainly made her wait for the grand moment to reveal that she was on the 200m team,“He was like, “First things first, I think your mom is up there doing some crazy things.” I was like, okay. I originally didn’t know what he was going to say. Then he said, “You know, we’ve been going through it this season, and God pulls through for those that pull through for Him. So, you’re on the 200.”