American sprinter thrilled with Paris Olympics bronze medal after poor 2023 outing

American sprinter thrilled with Paris Olympics bronze medal after poor 2023 outing

Joel Omotto 21:27 - 17.08.2024

The former world champion has not hidden his joy after winning a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games following a disappointing performance at the 2023 World Championships.

American sprinter Fred Kerley has revealed his delight at his achievements at the Paris Olympics after bouncing back from his disappointing 2023 season.

Kerley came into the Olympics looking to make amends for a poor 2023 campaign, when he failed to defend his 100m world title in Budapest, Hungary after missing the final.

He managed a bronze medal in the men’s 100m final in Paris, a close race that saw winner Noah Lyles and silver medallist Kishane Thompson both clock 9.79. Kerley managed 9.81 for third place in a star-studded final.

“2021 -Started off in the 400m, mid season switch & 3 months later, I became the 100m Olympic sliver medallist,” Kerley posted on X.

“2022 - World champion in the 100m. 2023- I f**ked up. 2024- Olympic bronze medallist,” he continued.

Kerley would have won another medal had Team USA not fumbled their 4x100m relay race when Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek had a mix-up during the baton exchange, messing up the race before they were disqualified over the incident.

Kerley missed a chance to be selected in the 4x400m relay team, despite expressing a desire, with the team going on to fend off the challenge of Botswana to win an Olympics gold.

The sprinter will now hope to build on that impressive outing for the rest of his season before the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

Kerley’s immediate race will the 200m at the Lausanne Diamond League where Olympics 200m champion Letsile Tebogo and American compatriot Erriyon Knighton will be among his rivals at the August 22 event.