As the dust settled on the 100-meter Olympic finals at Stade de France, all eyes were on Noah Lyles. Despite heading into Paris as the underdog, the American became the champion in an event where he wasn’t the favorite. However, many didn’t notice that Fred Kerley had pulled off something similar. The 29-year-old defeated many on-paper favorites to earn his Olympic bronze.

Kerley beat the likes of Ferdinand Omanyala, Oblique Seville, and others who had posted better 100-meter times in 2024. However, the Tokyo 2020 silver medalist rose to the occasion when it mattered. Not only did he add another medal to Team USA’s tally, but he also became a two-time Olympic medalist. Now it’s become fuel for an even greater, historic goal.

Although barely two weeks have passed since the Paris Olympics closing ceremony, Fred Kerley is ready to sprint again. “I feel like the job’s still not finished, because 2028 is around the corner. I’m not leaving my career without Olympic gold in 2028.” Kerley said during the Lausanne Diamond League press conference, dreaming of surpassing even the GOAT Usain Bolt, in one aspect.

While the 29-year-old already has silver and bronze, he’ll be 33 by the time LA2028 rolls around. If the sprinter manages to turn his goal into reality, he will become the oldest man to earn the 100-meter gold in Olympic history. Former Team GB sprinter Linford Christie holds the title of the older Olympic 100m champion at 32 years and 121 days.

Another track and field legend, Justin Gatlin, holds the record for the oldest champion. However, Gatlin won the title at 37 years and 230 days in 2019 at the world championships. Linford Christie earned his gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. By 2028, Christie’s record will have outgrown itself, lasting for 36 years. While it’s a tall task, Fred Kerley has already started the pursuit! So what’s next for the sprinting farmer, Fred Kerley?

Fred Kerley will find himself in a clash of champions just weeks after the Paris Olympics!

At a time when many Olympic medalists, including teammate Noah Lyles, are resting and removing, Kerley is hungry for more. “In Paris… I think I got the job done on that day,” the 29-year-old sprinter said during the press conference. Today, he hopes to do much better in the men’s 200-meter sprint at the 2024 Lausanne Diamond League.

Since the Lausanne edition of the Diamond League has excluded the men’s 100m event, it’s set Fred Kerley and Letsile Tebogo on a collision course. Tebogo became an overnight star when he beat Kerley’s teammates, Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek, to the 200-meter Olympic gold. So the odds are already against the two-time Olympic medalist Kerley.

However, it also presents the three-time world champion with an opportunity to prove himself and avenge his teammates. If the 29-year-old hopes to win Olympic gold at 33, he’ll have to beat much younger champions, such as 21-year-old Letsile Tebogo. Do you think the Olympian has what it takes to achieve this historic feat? And who do you predict will win the 200-meter event at the Lausanne Diamond League? Share your thoughts in the comments!