Fred Kerley and ASICS have reportedly parted ways after being seen on PUMA spikes at NYC Grand Prix.
Former world champion Fred Kerley and his main apparel sponsors ASICS, have reportedly parted ways after he was seen wearing PUMA spikes to compete at the NYC Grand Prix.
The American speedster was seen wearing the competitor spikes during his warm-up and on the track to run with it. However, he ended up not running with them as he walked out of the track complaining he couldn't continue because the starting blocks were broken and didn't get new ones.
"I was requesting new blocks. One of my pads was broken. I slipped the first time, and then I slipped the second time, and not about to have it happen a third time" said Kerley on what happened at the start of the NYC Grand Prix 100m.
"First of all, them blocks look like elementary blocks," he said. "We at a professional meet. So you should have professional blocks with professional sensors on them."
20:13 - 09.06.2024
Worrying scenes as Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah is carried off injured at NYC Grand Prix
Double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah suffered a reported Achilles injury and needed to be carried off the track after her 100m race at the NYC Grand Prix.
Kerley said he decided to step off the track before the 100m start out of caution and to prevent injury.
"I had to make that because I'm getting cold, so if you get cold, you know what happens when you get cold."
Before this after the 27-year-old was spotted putting on PUMA spikes, which Chris Chavez reported that a spokesperson from ASICS told him they had mutually parted ways with Kerley.
"Just heard back from a spokesperson for ASICS after Fred Kerley’s appearance at the New York City Grand Prix wearing competitor spikes:
Statement: “ASICS and Fred Kerley have mutually parted ways and he is no longer an ASICS sponsored athlete. We wish him the best in his career.”
08:37 - 10.06.2024
Elaine Thompson-Herah's injury scare update: I am awaiting professional advice
Here's the official update from Elaine Thompson-Herah concerning her injury scare at the NYC Grand Prix.
Later, Kerley clarified that he wore the Puma spikes because he had forgotten his ASICS shoes at the airport.
"I ain't switched it up," he said. "I left my bag at the airport."
The Tokyo 2021 Olympic silver medallist joined ASICS in 2023 and has a Personal Best (PB) of 9.73s, which makes him the sixth-fastest man in history.