'Some of y’all best athletes don’t got one!' - Fred Kerley aims subtle dig at medal-less Olympic rivals

'Some of y’all best athletes don’t got one!' - Fred Kerley aims subtle dig at medal-less Olympic rivals

Mark Kinyanjui 12:12 - 20.09.2024

Fred Kerley has appeared to aim a dig at medal-less Olympians as he reflected on the two career medals he has won at the Games.

Fred Kerley is not holding back as he sets his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where he aims to finally capture the elusive gold medal after claiming silver in Tokyo and bronze in Paris. 

The American sprinter, known for his confidence, has already secured two Olympic medals in the 100 meters and is now aiming to complete his collection with a gold on home soil.

Kerley took to his X account (formerly Twitter) to reveal his ambition for the upcoming Games, sharing a picture of his two consecutive Olympic medals. "The journey doesn't stop," he wrote. 

"My 2 Olympic medals from Tokyo to Paris. Next stop homecoming." While reflecting on his Olympic success, he couldn’t resist throwing shade at unnamed athletes, adding, "Some of y’all best athletes don’t got one," in reference to Olympic medals.

The dig was unmistakable, showcasing Kerley's competitive spirit and his desire to separate himself from those who have yet to reach the Olympic podium. 

After earning silver in Tokyo 2020, he was hungry for gold in Paris but fell short, securing bronze instead. Now, at 29, Kerley has his eyes firmly fixed on Los Angeles 2028, determined to make his ultimate dream a reality.

Despite not winning the 2024 Diamond League, Kerley remains undeterred. His journey to Olympics glory has seen him achieve several career highs, including a personal best of 9.76 seconds in the 100m at a 2022 meet in Eugene, Oregon. 

Just a month later, he clinched gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, also in Eugene, with a time of 9.86 seconds.

In Paris 2024, Kerley started the competition strong, topping the heats alongside teammate Kenny Bednarek, both registering 9.97 seconds.

 However, the semifinals proved more challenging. Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, a rising star in the sport, clocked 9.80 seconds to edge out Kerley, who ran 9.84 seconds. 

Even more surprising was Noah Lyles’ sudden resurgence, as the American sprinter secured a time of 9.83 seconds to finish ahead of Kerley and move into the finals.

The 100m final was nothing short of thrilling. Kerley had a blistering start and led the race until the halfway point. However, both Thompson and Lyles surged forward, making the race so tight that a photo finish was needed to determine the winner.

 Lyles, in a shocking result, won the gold medal, breaking the USA’s 20-year drought in the event with a time of 9.79 seconds. Thompson was just 0.005 seconds behind, and Kerley took bronze with a season-best time of 9.81 seconds.

Although the bronze may have left Kerley short of his Paris goal, his bullish attitude suggests that he’s only getting started.

 As he gears up for the next Olympic cycle, his sights are firmly set on Los Angeles 2028, where he hopes to finally claim the gold and silence any remaining doubters. In the meantime, his message to fellow competitors is clear: medals speak louder than words.

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