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Justin Gatlin has revealed the special quality about Fred Kerley after the two sat down together for a tell-it-all conversation.
American sprint icon Justin Gatlin has revealed his admiration of Fred Kerley after the two got to interact on a deeper basis during the Athlos event that took place in New York a fortnight ago.
The 2004 Olympic champion in the 100m was part of a star-studded guest list that attended Alexis Ohanian’s first-ever women’s only meet, a one of a kind event that will go a long way in empowering women in the sport.
Kerley also attended the event following his Olympic and Diamond League exploits this season. The 2022 world champion in the 100m delivered bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympic games, and is now on holiday recharging his batteries as he prepares to go for it again in the 2025 season.
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15:05 - 06.10.2024
Man of many talents: Olympic 100m bronze medallist Fred Kerley shows off new skill as part of off-season activities
The off season period has been showing the lifestyle of famous athletes away from track activities. Fred Kerley isn't exempted after showing off his new skill.
Gatlin, who has been running his Ready Set Go podcast alongside co-host Rodney Greene since his retirement in 2021, admitted at being amazed by Kerley’s cool human aspect, with both sitting down to have a recorded conversation which is set to be released on the podcast in the forthcoming days.
“Good dude, a really good dude. You never get the chance to really meet athletes, to sit down to have a talk with them but he is the type you really want in your corner,” the four-time world champion admitted.
Gatlin praised Kerley’s desire to want to make a good portfolio of himself outside the track as he also prepares for life off it.
"He sees how the sport is set up and he knows that you have to be successful outside the sport to be successful in life,” Gatlin added.
Kerley's journey has not been without its challenges. Ahead of the Paris Olympics, his form had been inconsistent, and he had not come close to his personal best of 9.76 seconds in the 100 meters.
Compounding the situation was a sponsorship dispute with ASICS, which ended their partnership when Kerley opted to wear Nike spikes, leaving him without a sponsor in the crucial Olympic season. Despite these setbacks, Kerley’s confidence remained unshaken.
In May 2024, he boldly tweeted, “World record next time I touch the 100m.” Though the world record eluded him, he still delivered a memorable performance.
Gatlin also reflected on Kerley's resilience, referring to him as the "killer boogeyman" in a playful yet admiring tone. “You the killer boogeyman, whatever you want to call him, man, hey, good dude, man, really good dude,” Gatlin said, with his co-host Rodney Greene backing him up.
Kerley's calmness and strength can be traced back to his tumultuous upbringing. Raised by his aunt, Virginia, affectionately known as "Meme," after being adopted at just two years old, Kerley grew up in Taylor, Texas, alongside 12 cousins. His home was a place of solace, despite the challenges of his early life. When asked if the sponsorship fallout or other adversities shook his confidence, Kerley’s response was telling:
“Being around 26 people in one house, you should know.” His words hinted at the resilience forged in his childhood, where he learned to stay composed under pressure and focus on what mattered most.
Kerley’s story is not just about success on the track, but about overcoming personal challenges and maintaining a steadfast commitment to his goals. As Gatlin pointed out, Kerley's character, both on and off the track, is what sets him apart.
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