Hard. This is the one word that comes to mind for Olympic athlete Kenny Bednarek when he reflects on his life—a life that was made possible because of foster care adoption. In Oklahoma, they placed Kenny in foster care after he experienced abuse and neglect. After months of moving in and out of foster homes, he felt afraid of where he might end up. Thankfully, Mary met Kenny and adopted him at age four, giving him the stability and love he so desperately needed.

On February 24, Kenny Bednarek took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to share a heartfelt reflection on his journey. He wrote, “Adoption is a journey, not just a moment. We’ve been through a lot, but family is forever. Loved catching up with my sister last weekend.” Though Kenny grew up with the stability of a permanent, loving family, his early years in foster care left a lasting impact. As a child, he struggled with processing emotions and trusting those around him. The trauma of his past sometimes led him to act out in anger or frustration.

The Olympic silver medalist and his mother formed the ultimate dream team, ensuring that he developed a champion mentality. Time and again, he has expressed deep gratitude towards Mary, who remained his number-one supporter. At a mid-October homecoming gathering in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, they asked Bednarek who had been most influential in shaping him. Without hesitation, he pointed to his mother in the crowd, acknowledging her unwavering support. The event, surrounded by extended family and cousins who organized the celebration, was a testament to the strong bond they shared.

Kenny Bednarek has made his mark on the track, winning silver medals in the 200 meters at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. More recently, he secured a gold medal in the same event at the 2024 Diamond League final in September. Though he has always been a 200-meter specialist, last year, he took on the challenge of competing in the 100-meter. While he did not win a medal in the shorter distance, the experience contributed to his growth as an athlete. He emphasized that these new challenges helped him become one of the “most versatile and dangerous competitors” on the track today.

From a difficult start in life to standing on the Olympic podium, his journey has been anything but easy. Yet, with the love of his adoptive mother and his unwavering determination, he has turned obstacles into stepping stones. His words remind us that adoption is not just a single event but a lifelong journey—one that continues to shape who he is, both on and off the track. And as he pushes forward toward new milestones, one thing remains clear: Bednarek is running not just for medals but for a legacy of strength and belonging. For the 26-year-old sprinter, every race is more than just an athletic endeavor, but part of his ongoing journey to find belonging and purpose.

Kenny Bednarek is still trying to find his real family

Kenny Bednarek has always been on a mission beyond medals. It’s been seeking to reconnect with his biological family through victory. While athletic triumph was a priority, Bednarek’s deeper mission was to reconnect with the family he lost as a young child. Abandoned by his biological parents and placed in foster care, Bednarek has often spoken about his childhood, growing up under the love and guidance of his foster mother.

Though grateful for the family he found, his past remains a powerful motivator driving him toward the top of the podium. “The track was, uh, a way to, I guess, escape my worries. That’s where I felt most free,” said Bednarek in Sprint docu-series season 2. For the 26-year-old, every race is not just an athletic endeavor, it is a search for a deeper sense of belonging. As a child, separation from his biological family and entry into foster care dramatically changed Bednarek’s life.

Kenny Bednarek’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and the ongoing search for identity. While he has found success on the track, his journey to reconnect with his roots remains unfinished. Through every race, he continues to chase not only medals but also the answers to his past. His journey reminds us that some victories are measured not just in seconds, but in the personal milestones we strive to reach.