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Bednarek, who nomarly tests different headbands before races, was restricted to using a standard one during the Paris Olympic games.
American sprinter and double Olympic silver medalist Kenny Bednarek has expressed his frustration over the strict kitting policies at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which prevented him from showcasing his personal style—a signature element of his identity on the track.
In the world of athletics, where athletes push the boundaries of speed and endurance, Bednarek has made a name for himself not only with his performances but also with his distinctive headbands.
These headbands have become a key part of his personal expression and have earned him the nickname "Kung-Fu Kenny." He has been sporting them since his college days, a tradition he explained during an appearance on the Flame Alive podcast.
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04:30 - 06.09.2024
'It’s all about taking risks' – Letsile Tebogo backs aggressive approach after beating Kenny Bednarek & Erriyon Knighton
Letsile Tebogo showcased his class with a thrilling victory over Kenny Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton, emphasizing a bold strategic approach.
“When I was in college I had a few headbands I wore,” Bednarek shared. “Since then, it became a pro in pulling off that headband style.” His headbands have become so synonymous with his brand that he even gives them away after every race.
However, at the Olympic Games, Bednarek was unable to wear his preferred headbands, forced to comply with a standard band as part of the event's uniform regulations.
The 25-year-old sprinter didn’t hold back in expressing his disappointment. “It feels nice, you know. Olympics had me in jail, they would not let me wear what I wanted to wear. Had to wear a standard headband,” Bednarek told Citius Mag.
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09:30 - 06.09.2024
Julien Alfred reacts after loss to Sha'Carri Richardson at Zurich Diamond League
Julien Alfred has insisted she was out to enjoy herself following her second-place finish to Sha'Carri Richardson at the Diamond League Meeting in Zurich.
Now that the Olympics are behind him, Bednarek is back on the Diamond League circuit, where he is once again able to embrace his headband-wearing persona. “Now, we are back on the Diamond League and I am gonna do what I do best,” he said confidently.
At the recent Zurich Diamond League meet, Bednarek showcased his brilliance, clocking a personal best of 19.57 seconds in the 200-meter sprint. However, despite his stunning performance, he finished second in a race filled with fierce competition.
Looking ahead to the Brussels Diamond League, Bednarek outlined his game plan for taking on the seemingly unstoppable Letsile Tebogo, who has been in electrifying form since the Olympics. “I am going to first get there and then say, ‘Okay, let’s execute,’ cause sometimes when I think about the times, then I do a little too much,” Bednarek said.
He emphasized the importance of focusing on execution rather than chasing specific times. “My mentality is like, ‘Yeah, realistically I should run another PB, but once I get there, I am not going to be thinking about it. Mindset is just executing the race and then getting the win.’”
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