Track and field might be rich in talent, but when it comes to money? It’s been scraping the bottom of the barrel for years. Sure, the Olympics roll around and suddenly everyone’s paying attention—but behind the scenes, it’s a financial headache. Training’s wrapped, everything’s polished to perfection, and just when athletes like Kenny Bednarek, Noah Lyles, and more should be laser-focused, reality slaps them with bills. As Noah Lyles once said, “Being a track athlete living in the US… you are only cared about for four years and you’re in a dying sport.” Ouch—but he’s not wrong. Remember the struggles during the trials?

Right before the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, Kenny Bednarek got hit with a harsh reality—before he could even dream of the Paris Olympics, he and others, as a rule, had to qualify in Eugene, Oregon, and just getting there came with a price tag that made his wallet cry. “The cost to fly and accommodate my team at the trials and Olympics is pretty wild. Prices are jacked up,” he posted. And it didn’t stop there. He added, “It’s crazy because that’s when we need our entire support system the most.” It was like climbing a mountain with no ropes. But just when things looked bleak, something changed!

In came the Grand Slam Track! Just when it felt like track and field was stuck in the same old loop—underfunded, overlooked, and running on fumes—Michael Johnson came sprinting in with a game-changer. His new league, Grand Slam Track, showed up like a breath of fresh air and aimed to flip the script. We’re talking $12.6 million in prize money, $100K for winners, solid pay for showing up, and—finally—real support for the athletes who’ve been grinding in the shadows.

Kenny Bednarek, who’s got two Olympic silver medals under his belt, pulled up to the league’s debut meet in Kingston, Jamaica, and he felt the difference right out of the gate. “For the first time in any track league, I’ve officially got my internal team on the track with me, supporting and shooting. Feels incredible to have them here,” he posted. That’s not just a win—it’s a shift. For athletes who’ve spent years pinching pennies and making it work with duct tape and determination, this is the kind of support they’ve been dreaming of.

Sure, he snagged another silver at the Paris Olympics, but the road there was anything but smooth. Between the sky-high costs and the constant stress, it nearly drained the joy out of the journey. But now? With real backing and his full team by his side, Kenny Bednarek’s not just competing—he’s making a mark. And he has something to say about his win!

Kenny Bednarek breaks down his race

Kenny Bednarek came flying through in Kingston, closing out day one of the very first Grand Slam Track meet with a bang. He took the win in the men’s 100m, edging out Jamaica’s Oblique Seville by literally a hundredth of a second—10.07 to 10.08. Yeah, it was that close. A photo finish, and the fans went nuts. Meanwhile, Fred Kerley finished back in seventh, but all eyes were on Kenny, who pulled off the clutch win on Jamaican turf.

After the race, Kenny kept it real. “I feel like I’ve got a lot more to improve,” he said. “My block starts have been looking good this year, but I really didn’t got to show in the race. I think my first few steps were me stumbling.” And fight he did. “ I mean, I know Akeem and Oblique, very good starter. So I knew that they were going to get the jump on me. So I just had to make sure to reel them in. That’s what I did. I mean, I couldn’t see him, but as you can see, I was just fighting out there to just get the win.” He did. Barely. But he did.

And let’s talk about that headband for a sec—green, black, and yellow with a wild design. “ I wanted to show some respect to Jamaica….. And also you see design with the it’s from the Legend of Zelda. It’s a video game that I used to play when I was a kid…. And he ends up turning into a wolf. So wolf here is just a representation of me showing my inner strength.  And, you know, that’s what happened today. And I got the win.”

Between the race, the meaning, and the moment, Kenny didn’t just win—he made a statement.