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Two time Olympic 100-meter medalist Fred Kerley has explained why he thinks track and field is a 'boring' sport.
American sprint star Fred Kerley recently expressed his blunt take on the current state of track and field, describing it as a "boring sport" during a guest appearance on Justin Gatlin's Ready Set Go podcast.
Known for his electrifying speed, Kerley didn’t hold back when explaining his struggle to find excitement in track compared to other sports like basketball and football, which he believes offer more hype and fan engagement.
“I am just trying to go through the motions and all that stuff,” Kerley candidly shared. “I like doing track practice and stuff, but I was looking at hype videos of basketball and football, and, honestly, track and field is boring.”
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15:30 - 30.10.2024
'The world’s going to be shocked' - Fred Kerley vows redemption for Team USA in Los Angeles 2028 after Paris 4 x 100 embarrasment
USA found themselves getting disqualified in the final of the 4 by 100 meters relay at the Paris Olympic games, leaving them to wait 24 years to medal at that stage.
He went on to reveal that his motivation mainly comes from outside interests, saying, “Once I leave track practice, I do other things. You cannot pay me to talk about track.”
Kerley's athletic journey started with versatility. During high school, he competed in both the 200 meters and triple jump and even played American football as a cornerback.
Eventually, he left the football field to focus on track, choosing it as his primary pursuit. Despite this shift, his past experiences continue to influence his perspective on sports.
Kerley initially specialized in the 400 meters, clocking an impressive personal best of 43.6 seconds. However, recurring ankle issues eventually pushed him to switch to the 100 meters, which allowed him to better manage his physical condition.
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10:20 - 30.10.2024
'It’s hurting our sport'- Fred Kerley explains why prodigies like Quincy Wilson should not race against senior athletes
Fred Kerley believes young athletes should stay in junior categories to develop mentally and physically without the intimidation and pressures of senior competition, which he says can harm their careers and benefit coaches more than the athletes themselves.
The toll of triple jump and sprinting on his body contributed to his decision. “Triple jump is bad on knees and stuff. I have seen more injury in triple jump than any other jump,” he said.
“My ankles are messed up—that’s why, if you really look at how I do the turn, it’s not because I can’t run the turn; that s*** hurts.”
This year, Kerley raced less frequently than in previous seasons, focusing on staying healthy. With the Olympics in sight, he prioritized preserving his physical well-being under a new coaching approach.
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12:54 - 30.10.2024
Usain Bolt snubs Noah Lyles as he names his dream 4x100m relay team
Legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt named his dream 4x100m relay team, omitting current stars like Noah Lyles.
“This year is the least I ran races, just trying to stay healthy, which is the most important thing,” he noted. “Running is cool, but staying healthy is the most important part because this was an Olympic year.”
Kerley's comments offer a rare, unfiltered view from a top athlete on the state of track and field. His remarks shed light on the challenges athletes face in finding motivation in the sport, as well as the importance of balancing training with long-term health.
As one of track’s biggest names, Kerley's outspoken nature may just spark more conversations about how the sport can evolve to captivate both athletes and fans alike.
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