“I’m Fred Kerley, and this is my title,” he confidently declared. This bold statement came just before the Paris Olympics. Well, ever since Usain Bolt left the men’s sprinting scene, the 100 meters—the race for the title of “Fastest Man in the World”—has felt a bit lackluster, dominated by unfamiliar names and a serious vibe. But that all changed with the rise of two of the U.S.’s fastest sprinters, Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley. Their lively banter brought some much-needed excitement back to the sport, turning what would have been a routine pre-Olympics news cycle into something electrifying.

In the end, Lyles snagged the gold medal in 100-meter race, just edging out Kerley, who had to settle for bronze for the second consecutive Olympic Games. Their rivalry is hard to miss: Kerley took home the 100m world title in 2022 on his home turf in Eugene, Oregon, while Lyles added the 100m to his list of events and secured the title at the World Championships in Budapest in 2023. Now, with a fresh perspective and renewed determination, it looks like Fred Kerley is poised to become a serious contender for Lyles, as hinted by track and field legend.

In the latest episode of the Ready Set Go podcast, Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green took a moment to discuss the upcoming landscape of track and field sports next season. Gatlin expressed his hope that Fred Kerley would emerge as the face of the sport, emphasizing his satisfaction with Kerley’s personality and performance this season. The former Olympic champion boldly stated, “Fred’s a dog,” highlighting his belief in Kerley’s competitive spirit.

Gatlin went on to elaborate on why he believes Kerley will excel, attributing his potential success to an exceptional mindset. “Fred gonna come with… be saying, you know what I’m gonna run the 400 this year and go out there, be one of the top 400-meter runners,” he explained, painting a vivid picture of Kerley’s determination.

Gatlin praised Kerley’s ability to adapt and perform under challenging circumstances, noting, “So if he sticks to the 100 meters, watching how he progressed this season with the lack of traditional training that he had, like, he gonna be a monster.” Gatlin highlighted that Kerley ended the season with an impressive time of 9.81 seconds, achieved without extensive speed training, relying instead on his usual conditioning.

While Gatlin acknowledged that Noah Lyles might focus on reclaiming his title in the 200m event next season, he suggested that Kerley could emerge as the all-event sprinter. “And him with a flawed race—even he said it—he had a flawed race,” Gatlin noted, indicating that despite setbacks, the competition for the World Championships is shaping up to be intense. “I don’t think there’s gonna be a clear favorite as of right now,” he concluded, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead in track and field. However, their rivalry, both on and off the track, is known to all.

The Fred Kerley and Noah Lyles rivalry unveiled—when the gloves come off!

Fred Kerley and Noah Lyles rivalry has been well-documented in Netflix’s sprinting series, Sprint, season 1, which provides a behind-the-scenes perspective. In the series, Kerley appeared to criticize Lyles for his attention-seeking behavior in front of the camera, contrasting it with his own reserved nature. “That is Noah’s style; he does it for attention. I don’t do nothin’ for attention. This is why you see me 24/7. I run track and go about my business,” Kerley remarked on Sprint. This contrast highlights their differing approaches to competition and the spotlight.

Lyles, known for his outgoing personality, seemed to agree with Kerley’s assessment, noting how their contrasting approaches reflect their different temperaments. “Fred and I are very different. I am very open about my emotions; he is not,” Lyles explained. “He is not calling me up like, ‘Hey, you wanna go out for the weekend?'” Their dynamic is getting high again and again, especially with the recent trailer drop for SPRINT 2, which is set to premiere on November 13.

In the trailer, Kerley didn’t hold back, sharing his thoughts on Lyles by saying, “Noah’s cocky, arrogant, all that.” That really highlights the competitive edge between them! Lyles, never one to back down, responded with his signature confidence: “I’m the fastest, and I got the medal to prove it. Everybody’s got a chance…to get second.” This back-and-forth not only shows their personalities but also sets the stage for an exciting season ahead, where both athletes are ready to compete fiercely on the track.