Gabby Thomas Didn't Attend the Olympics Closing Ceremony — Here's What She Did Instead (Exclusive)

The three-time gold medalist opened up to PEOPLE about how she celebrated her final night at the Paris Summer Games

Gabby Thomas said au revoir at the end of the Olympics in a very special way.

The track star, who took home three gold medals at the 2024 Paris Summer Games, opened up to PEOPLE exclusively about her final night in the City of Light.

Instead of attending the star-studded closing ceremony where Tom Cruise, Simone Biles and Billie Eilish were all on hand to celebrate the end of an another international competition, Thomas, 27, who partnered with Team Toyota for the Olympics, chose to spend her time with the people who mean the most to her.

"I spent the night in Paris with my friends and family," she says. "We went out to dinner, and I got to spend some time with them since I was so busy the whole time. It was so refreshing and just so nice and [I] got to celebrate having three medals."

Related: Who Is Olympic Track Star Gabby Thomas' Boyfriend? All About Spencer McManes

Thomas won the gold medals in the women's 200m, along with the women's 4x100m relay and the women's 4x400m relay. During the latter, which took place on Aug. 10 at Stade de France, Thomas as well as Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Alexis Holmes set a new American Record with a time of 3:15.27.

Following the Games and coming back home, Thomas is still feeling excited about her experience.

"This has been an amazing homecoming for me. [It's my] first time back in about a month. So coming back with three gold medals and having the support has been awesome," she tells PEOPLE.

Related: Team USA Finishes 2024 Paris Olympics with Most Medals of Any Country with 126 — Plus 40 Golds!

Following her flight from Paris to the United States on Monday, Aug. 12, she received a warm welcome — with a special ride waiting for her.

"The first thing I saw when I came out here was the Toyota Land Cruiser with my face plastered on it and everyone saw me get in the car and they were waving and cheering for me at the airport," she shares.

Thomas adds, "And so I mean, I couldn't have asked for a better homecoming."

Related: Olympian Gabby Thomas Is Doing 'Everything I Can' to Get a Gold Medal in Paris — Including Sleeping a Lot

Looking back on her whirlwind summer, Thomas' favorite memories include having her family, friends and Team Toyota cheering for her along the way — which started well before she landed in Paris for the 2024 Olympics.

When filming commercials with Toyota and her loved ones, the togetherness "manifested what actually happened" in Paris, the athlete says. "Having them there and being able to celebrate that with them was incredible," Thomas continues.

"I remember coming off of my 200m gold medal race and going straight to my mom, going straight to my coach and they understand what it takes to get there," she recalls of the final on Aug. 6.

Thomas adds, "You know, they know what it was every day, every hour, every minute. So to be able to have them, there was incredible."

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