What could two Olympic medals get you? The whole world? Well, not even the bare minimum. Although the argument that financial troubles plague the track and field fraternity has long been present, very few have experienced such troubles as closely as track sensation Fred Kerley.  In 2017, after winning the 400m championships in NCAA Division I, Kerley changed his life. Signing a deal with Nike, Kerley had some of the best years of his track and field career until 2022. After the contract with Nike expired, Kerley signed up with ASICS. Until the brand and the Texan parted ways owing to a strange occurrence.

At the 2024 NYC Grand Prix, the Olympian was clearly wearing orange Puma shoes. Alleging that he had forgotten his ASICS shoes at the airport, the sprinter had to fetch Puma shoes ahead of the race. Obviously, what followed was a mutual disengagement between ASICS and Fred Kerley. That is the least desirable situation for an athlete to find himself in. But there’s more.

Recently, appearing on The Pivot Podcast, Kerley reflected on the hardships he has been dealing with lately. “Ask my coach how many days I train i’m dealing with way more life stuff than track stuff,” Kerley stated. He further said that for him, doing track did not feel like pressure at all. He could be referring to his ordeal in Miami in January. But not all of it is bleak.

“I’m still dealing with it but it’s smoother you know what I’m saying it’s smoother I’m still dealing with it it’s way smoother than last year cuz |l| got a coach that understand so I’m I’m still dealing with it but it’s it’s smoother,” admitted the Olympic bronze medalist from Paris. Kerley’s coach is undoubtedly a great pillar of strength for the sprinter. At the Grand Slam Track in Kingston, Fred Kerley represented his coach’s brand, JB. JB or Quincy Watts is the head coach of track and field at USC, where Kerley currently trains. Although Kerley’s performance was far from what his fans expected, clocking 10.30s and finishing 7th, the hope of a resurgence remains. 

A resurgence is the need of the hour; after all, he needs to salvage his reputation, given his ongoing beef with Noah Lyles. 

Fred Kerley stirs the pot again, labels Lyles a rival amid Tebogo’s clarification

Track is known for its aggressive rivalries. Be it Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin, Shericka Jackson and Sha’Carri Richardson. Now, Fred Kerley has made a statement about reigning Olympic champion, Noah Lyles. During his recent appearance on the Pivot Podcast, the sprinter did not mince his words when talking about Lyles. Remember how Kerley had to settle for the bronze while Noah ran his way to become the 100m champion at the Paris games? Well, despite that, the Texan claims the Olympic gold medalist is “not on his level”.  And all of it happened just as Letsile Tebogo sought to cool the tension in his own high-profile dynamic with the American sprinter.

Tebogo, who dethroned Lyles in the 200 meters at the Paris Olympics, had sparked headlines by calling Lyles “an arrogant or loud person” in his post-race remarks. But now, the Botswanan phenom is walking it back. “When you get onto the track, it’s all about business,” he said. Off track, they are still friends! But Kerley? Well, we couldn’t say the same for him. But Noah Lyles wouldn’t be quite like himself if he simply let Kerley get away with his comments!

On a recent social media post, Junelle Bromfield and Lyles pulled an act that probably was hinted at Kerley. Yikes! At the rate at which things are going, it looks like it’s not just about who crosses the finish line first. Rather, it’s now more about who can control the narrative off the track.