At the Tokyo Summer Games 3 years ago, Kenny Bednarek’s stellar time of 19.68 seconds in the 200m event helped him snag an Olympic silver. However, this wasn’t good enough for the 25-year-old. He only had eyes for the coveted gold. “For sure I am tired of being Mr Silver… getting second place all the time,” Kenny had said in an interview with Kenya’s Capital FM in 2023. During the U.S. Olympic Trials at the historic Hayward Field, Bednarek clinched the second spot in the 200m event with a new personal best of 19.59 seconds. 

On August 8, the sprinter stepped into the Stade de France looking to claim an Olympic gold as his own. However, the world no. 2 wasn’t a match for Letsile Tebogo, who edged him out by 0.06 seconds. Even though history has repeated itself yet again for the American sprinter, he did improve on his time from 3 years ago. While Tebogo clinched gold with 19.46 seconds on the clock, Bednarek trailed behind in 19.62s.

Even though he had to settle for second best yet again, his biggest cheerleader was beside him. The 2022 World Championships silver medalist’s mom, Mary Bednarek, watched as her son ran a sub-20-time on the iconic purple tracks. Spotted wearing a shirt with a picture of the duo, she was ecstatic about watching her son clinch yet another Olympic medal. CNN’s Coy Wire shared her adorable reaction to his second-place finish on X.

Even though Bednarek had been bested by his compatriot at the U.S. Olympic Trials, the 25-year-old made up for it with his quick start out of the blocks. He believes that he’s come a long way from 3 years ago, “I definitely have a chip on my shoulder, and that’s definitely what’s made me a better athlete.” Bednarek has one more chance to clinch an Olympic gold at the French capital. He is set to contest in the 4x100m event, and his mom believes he has it in him.

After collectively tugging at all our heartstrings, she ecstatically claims, “I feel so overwhelmed! I’m going to start crying.” Mary adopted the sprinter when he was 4-year-old. Despite their ups and downs, she has always been by his side, making sure to cheer him on from the stands at every competition. “He’s one in a million and I’m so lucky he’s my son.” However, things always weren’t so smooth sailing between the two. What was it like for the American sprinter?

Kenny Bednarek’s tumultuous years growing up

As a kid, Kenny Bednarek constantly made trips from one foster home to another. That is until he met Mary. She took in both the athlete and his twin brother and she raised two other kids by herself. In an exclusive interview with People, the 25-year-old opened up about how confusing everything seemed at first. “I had a lot of issues when I was young just because when I was being shipped from one foster home to another foster home, and as a kid you don’t know what’s going on.” Even though the two share an unbreakable bond now, it wasn’t as easy back then.

Like every teen, the world no. 2 had his rebellious teen phase. But he eventually came around. “Our relationship took some time to get some stability in it, but eventually we worked through it.” His mom never let him forget how difficult the athlete used to be. But Bednarek has been very vocal about the sacrifices his mother has made. “She’s inspired me to keep living my dream because I wouldn’t be here without her.” It was after he moved to college that he fell in love with the sport and Mary has always had his back. What did you think of her heartwarming reaction? Let us know in the comments!