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How Dennis Mitchell reassured Kenny Bednarek after he finished seventh in the final of the men's 100 meters at the Paris Olympic games.
For Kenny Bednarek, finishing seventh in the men’s 100-meter final at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a bitter pill to swallow.
The sprinter, known for his consistent performances, clocked an impressive 9.88 seconds, a time that would have secured a medal in past Olympic Games. However, in Paris, it placed him seventh in what was the fastest Olympic 100m final ever, with all eight competitors finishing under 9.92 seconds.
The race saw Noah Lyles, Bednarek’s American teammate, triumph with a blistering 9.79 seconds, narrowly edging Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in a photo finish by just 0.005 seconds. Lyles’ victory ended a 20-year drought for Team USA in the event, but for Bednarek, it was a moment of profound disappointment.
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21:00 - 22.09.2024
Kenny Bednarek reflects on tactical blunder involving Kishane Thompson that dashed his 100m gold hopes in Paris
Bednarek finished seventh in 9.88 in what is perhaps the closest 100m final in Olympics history in Paris last month, but admitted to a tactical blunder during the race that cost him the ultimate price.
Speaking in Netflix’s "Sprint" docuseries, Bednarek shared the emotional toll of the race, breaking down in tears as he admitted his frustration. "I’m tired of losing," he confessed, highlighting his struggle to consistently make the podium despite his evident talent.
Bednarek credited his coach, Dennis Mitchell, for helping him refocus after the race. Mitchell was captured on the docuseries giving the sprinter a heartfelt pep talk.
“You tied up towards the end, but you were in there, bad boy, you were in it,” Mitchell told him. “We are going to be back. You got me? This is nothing to hold your head down over. We’ve got 24 hours to get back into this game and that is where you play. You got me?”
Mitchell’s words helped Bednarek mentally reset, paving the way for his silver medal performance in the 200 meters later that week.
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08:03 - 16.11.2024
'I'm tired of losing'- Kenny Bednarek on how losing 100m title at Paris Olympic Games hurt his feelings
An emotional Kenny Bednarek expressed his disappointment after losing the 100m at the Paris Olympic Games.
Reflecting on his performance in the 100 meters on his YouTube channel, Bednarek explained the strategy he and Mitchell had devised. The plan was to stay close to Thompson, known for his explosive starts, and rely on Bednarek’s powerful top-end speed in the latter stages of the race.
"Coach and I said, ‘If we stay with Kishane, we get the win.’ That was the goal," Bednarek shared. "Get out, push out of the blocks, and stay with the boys, because if I got out with them, my top-end speed could take over."
However, Bednarek admitted that nerves got the better of him. "As soon as the gun went off, I didn’t do what I had to do. I tried to get into an extra gear instead of being patient, and that caused me to tighten up," he said.
Despite his frustration, Bednarek acknowledged the historic nature of the race and his role in it. "It was the fastest finals in a while. I’m happy to be part of history, but the job is not done yet. I want gold medals, not a seventh-place finish," he emphasized.
He also highlighted his commitment to improvement. "The best thing I do is show up when it counts. I’m as consistent as can be, and next year, I’m going to get the job done and run faster than I did in these finals."
Following the Olympics, Bednarek maintained his strong form. He secured third place in the 200m at the Diamond League Meeting in Silesia, came second in Zurich, and triumphed in the Diamond League final in Brussels.
As he sets his sights on the World Championships in Tokyo next season, Bednarek is determined to compete for gold in both the 100m and 200m events. His journey underscores his resilience and his drive to cement his place among the world’s sprinting elite.
"I’ve learned from this experience," Bednarek said. "Next year is going to be different. I’m ready to show the world what I’m capable of."
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