There are no scholarships, no recruitment, no spotlight. Yet Jessika Gbai (B.A. ’22), a walk-on at Howard, will fulfill every athlete’s dream this Sunday. A “Philly girl,” she is an under-the-radar talent. She will compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her journey to the global stage is a testament to perseverance—like the dedication seen in competitive platforms like 22Bet.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Gbai admitted this week from Paris. “At the same time, I keep reminding myself that I’ve earned this. “I deserve to be here,” Gbai said. “This has always been my top goal, and I’ve worked hard to achieve it.”
Gbai will compete in the 200m and 4x100m relays, representing her home, Ivory Coast. Her debut race is scheduled for Sunday at 4:55 p.m. EST, the first round of the 200-meter race. Gbai graduated from Howard University in 2022. She graduated with dual degrees in biology and political science. He had one of the best track careers in University history.
From Philly to the Podium: Gbai’s Remarkable Olympic Journey
Gbai’s journey to the Olympics started in Philadelphia. She was raised in a challenging environment where schools were underfunded.
A proud “Philly girl,” Gbai’s Olympic dreams began in 2016. She watched two Ivorian athletes at the Rio Games. Motivated by their achievements, she decided to pursue a similar dream. As a freshman at Howard, she decided to walk onto the team. She was unfazed by her limited-track resume. She had not been a standout track athlete in school.
From Walk-On to Record-Breaker: Gbai’s Road to the Paris Olympics
Her determination and natural talent didn’t go unnoticed, setting her apart. Coaches had to look twice. She dominated practice, always outpacing her teammates.
She trained hard, breaking records and winning titles at the MEAC championships. By the time she was a senior, Gbai had become unstoppable. She shattered records in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and relay events at Howard University.
Representing the Ivory Coast in international competitions brought its challenges. Gbai, a strong supporter of HBCUs, urges students to take every chance, no matter their starting point.
