### FanDuel Takes Action Against Bettor for Heckling Olympic Champion Gabby Thomas In a recent incident at the Grand Slam Track meet in Philadelphia, Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas was subjected to harassment by a sports bettor who followed her around the track, verbally abusing her. This incident has sparked significant backlash and led to FanDuel Sportsbook banning the bettor involved. Thomas, a three-time Olympic champion, expressed her discomfort with the situation, stating that the heckling was not just annoying but invasive, as the bettor continued to follow her while she interacted with fans and signed autographs. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the intersection of sports betting and athlete harassment, particularly as betting becomes more mainstream in the sports world [https://www.mensjournal.com/sports/fanduel-announces-decision-on-bettor-who-heckled-us-track-star, https://www.wlky.com/article/fanduel-bans-bettor-over-heckling-incident-with-gabby-thomas/64983942]. ### Breakdown of the Incident and Response 1. **Incident Overview**: - Gabby Thomas was heckled by a bettor during a track meet, who claimed that his actions helped him win a bet [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6402784/2025/06/04/fanduel-bans-bettor-heckling-gabby-thomas]. - The bettor posted a video of the heckling on social media, boasting about how it contributed to his betting success [https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/45449723/fanduel-bans-bettor-heckling-gabby-thomas-track-event]. 2. **FanDuel's Response**: - Following Thomas's public outcry, FanDuel announced the immediate banning of the bettor involved in the incident [https://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2025-06-04/fanduel-bans-bettor-over-heckling-incident-with-olympic-champion-sprinter-gabby-thomas]. - The decision was made to uphold a standard of respect and safety for athletes participating in events [https://www.boston.com/sports/sports/2025/06/04/gabby-thomas-heckling-incident-fanduel-ban-report]. 3. **Public Reaction**: - The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from fans and fellow athletes, emphasizing the need for better protections against harassment in sports [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-14777027/olympian-gabby-thomas-fan-heckle-philadelphia.html]. - Thomas herself has called out the culture that enables such behavior, stating that it is unacceptable for anyone to feel unsafe while competing [https://www.yardbarker.com/olympics/articles/olympic_gold_medalist_gabby_thomas_calls_out_bettor_for_verbal_abuse/s1_17427_42280949]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Bettor's Actions**: The bettor not only heckled Thomas but also recorded and shared the incident online, claiming it was part of his strategy to win a parlay bet [https://www.sg.news.yahoo.com/bettor-who-bragged-about-heckling-us-sprinter-gabby-thomas-during-loss-banned-by-fanduel-192154690.html]. - **FanDuel's Policy**: The platform has a clear policy against harassment and has taken steps to enforce it by banning the bettor, reflecting a commitment to athlete welfare [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/gold-medallist-thomas-harassed-bettor-grand-slam-track-5163166]. ### Conclusion: A Call for Change in Sports Culture **The incident involving Gabby Thomas and the bettor serves as a stark reminder of the challenges athletes face in the era of legalized sports betting.** 1. **Immediate Action**: FanDuel's decision to ban the bettor demonstrates a proactive approach to athlete safety [https://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2025-06-04/fanduel-bans-bettor-over-heckling-incident-with-olympic-champion-sprinter-gabby-thomas]. 2. **Cultural Shift Needed**: There is a pressing need for a cultural shift in how sports betting is perceived and how athletes are treated, particularly in public settings [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6402784/2025/06/04/fanduel-bans-bettor-heckling-gabby-thomas]. 3. **Ongoing Support for Athletes**: Continued support and advocacy for athletes like Thomas are essential to ensure they can compete without fear of harassment [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-14777027/olympian-gabby-thomas-fan-heckle-philadelphia.html]. This incident underscores the importance of maintaining respect and dignity in sports, especially as the landscape of sports betting evolves.