Even though the dust has settled on the excitement and grandeur of the Paris Olympics, many continue to talk about the highs we witnessed at the French capital. Fred Kerley returned to the world’s biggest stage as the reigning silver medalist in the 100m category. The sprinter couldn’t chase the gold with the likes of Kishane Thompson and Noah Lyles stealing the thunder with their magnificent photo finish. But he snagged an Olympic bronze for himself, earning a spot on the podium at Stade de France. 

However, the same couldn’t be said about USA’s men’s relay team. The squad hadn’t medaled in the men’s 4x100m relay since 2004. Every year since bagging a silver in Athens, they have failed to make the finals. Or if they have, they would face disqualification. The hopes of crushing their long-standing medal drought fell on the quartet of Christian Coleman, Kenny Bednarek, Kyree King, and the 29-year-old. But as fate would have it, they faced another disqualification after finishing seventh in the finals.

On October 24, Fred Kerley appeared on the Ready Set Go podcast with Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green. While discussing his berth in Paris, the conversation naturally gravitated towards the relay mishap. Green even noted how several analysts suggested that Team USA could have won the Olympic gold. What did the sprinter have to say to that? “We did give a gold medal away in that relay, and we take full responsibility. But the curse going to be over soon, you get what I’m saying? So I feel like we really can’t do nothing,” he confessed. 

Remember how we said that Team USA hasn’t clinched a medal since 2004? Well, that’s because they were disqualified from the 2012 and 2016 Summer Games. On the other hand, they never even made it to the finals in 2008 or 2020. Like Paris, they failed at handoffs in the 2008, 2016, 2020, and 2024 Games. In Paris, the botched handoff was between Christian Coleman and Kenney Bednarek. A misunderstanding caused the latter to leave his position early. With the former crashing into him, it led to a miscalculated handoff between the duo. But with this, they had missed the podium for their fifth consecutive Olympics. 

Failing to eradicate a 20-year medal drought can be disheartening. However, Fred Kerley didn’t hold back. “I feel like the athlete made this mistake there. No coaches, no, nothing made this mistake. The team was put in place, you know what I’m saying? It was the athlete fault on that given day,” he exclaimed. After Noah Lyles’ exclusion due to COVID-19, the pressure of bringing home the prize fell on the quartet. So, the blame for the mishap should fall on their broad shoulders according to the Olympian. 

The 29-year-old continued, “It’s just like the world is waiting for USA to mess up for they can get all over the newspaper and all that stuff.” But he reiterated how they know they’re great. Even though they made a massive blunder at Stade de France, the sprinter believes things will change at LA 2028. “The world going to be shocked, and they like – when we win, it won’t be no more new articles available.” With all said and done, he doesn’t believe the world would give them credit when that happens: “We supposed to been doing that a long time ago, back in the day.” But with the 2024 season done and dusted, the Olympian has shifted his focus to bigger things. 

Fred Kerley pulls the curtain on the hustle culture in track and field

Nothing can beat the feeling of standing on top of that podium. Yes, winning medals is great. But the 29-year-old shines a light on why the hustle never stops. Justin Gatlin brought up how the Olympian is bringing a massive change to the sport. Back in his day, open communication was quite uncommon. However, the sprinter hasn’t let that hold him back; but with several rivalries as prevalent as ever, what pushed him to take the first step? 

“Like at the end of the day with that situation, yeah, we are competitive. But track and field don’t eat once we get done with this sport. How can we eat, and forever eat when we get done with this sport? We don’t got no union or none of that,” Fred Kerley exclaimed. Due to his recent experience in negotiating with Nike, a fellow athlete reached out. After an honest discussion, the athlete went on to snag a better contract for himself. 

The track and field legend expressed how refreshing this simple act was. But the 29-year-old pointed out that it is essential more than ever now – he believes that athletes truly are the face of the sport. So, while sitting out of an uncomfortable situation feels like a safer option, they will just get replaced by someone younger and faster. “I got a whole business degree, so I understand everything that’s going on around me and stuff because if I go sit down, I lose money.”

Fred Kerley has always been open about everything on and off the track, so it’s not surprising that he accepts that the 4x100m relay was entirely the athletes’ fault. What’s your take on this? Share in the comments below.