)
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.
Fred Kerley is determined to turn Team USA’s 4x100m relay woes around at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, following a disappointing disqualification at the recent Paris Games.
Arriving in Paris as a 100m bronze medalist, Kerley had high hopes of finally capturing a gold medal in the relay, with Team USA favored to win. However, a disastrous baton exchange in the finals left the American team without a medal. Now, Kerley is speaking out about the experience and promising that 2028 will be different.
In a candid conversation on the Ready Set Go podcast with hosts Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green, Kerley reflected on the disappointing outcome, emphasizing the need to take ownership of the mistakes.
)
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.
“That’s the only thing I really can say. We did give a gold medal away in that relay, and we take full responsibility, but the curse is going to be over soon,” he said. According to Kerley, the baton mishap was a painful setback, but he believes it’s time for Team USA to break their medal drought in the event, which has lingered since the Athens 2004 silver medal win.
Team USA’s struggles in Paris were exacerbated by changes to the relay lineup. After a strong performance in the preliminary round, the team entered the final with a revised roster due to Noah Lyles testing positive for COVID-19.
Lyles’ absence led the coaches to bring in Kenny Bednarek to replace Courtney Lindsey, but they altered the team order instead of opting for a straightforward substitution. This decision proved costly: Bednarek’s early acceleration resulted in a botched handoff from Coleman, ultimately disqualifying the team.
)
20:42 - 29.10.2024
'I did it for myself first' - Usain Bolt agrees with Asafa Powell's advice to Kishane Thompson on the 'demanding' nature of Jamaican fans
Usain Bolt has agreed with Asafa Powell on the nature of Jamaican fans after the latter recently offered advice to Kishane Thompson on why he should not feel oblidged to carry the country his t back.
Despite the setback, Kerley is resolute about moving forward, aiming to restore pride to the American relay team. "I feel like the world’s going to be shocked," he asserted, adding that when they do secure gold, there may be less fanfare given the long-standing expectation for the U.S. to dominate the event.
"They’re not even probably going to praise us because we’re supposed to have been doing that a long time ago," he explained. For Kerley, this disqualification has become a personal rallying point for a historic comeback in Los Angeles.
While acknowledging the team's missteps in Paris, Kerley is confident they’ll break the so-called “curse” in front of a home crowd at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
His determination to make up for the Paris heartbreak is shared by fans eager to see Team USA reclaim their standing in the 4x100m relay. As he sets his sights on redemption, Kerley’s pledge is clear: the next chapter will be different.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)