Fred Kerley knows how to flip the script. After a rough start to his 2024 season—thanks to injuries and sponsorship drama—he made a serious comeback at the Paris Olympics, snagging bronze in the men’s 100m final. Fast forward almost three weeks, and he’s at it again, setting a new meet record in the same event at the Silesia Diamond League. But wait, there’s more! The 29-year-old had an even bigger surprise up his sleeve.

After blazing through the track with a scorching 9.77 seconds (+1.9) last night, Fred dropped a little teaser about his plans to wrap up the season on a high note. He’s not just satisfied with an Olympic medal and a Diamond League meet record—he’s got his eyes set on making waves in the 200 meters.

In his post-race chat, shared on X by the handle Lillz, Fred Kerley said, “I’m gonna drop definitely a PB, the next 200m drive I’m in.” His inner zeal stepped in as he commented, “Just gotta fill the race out again.” That indicates the athlete is eyeing the next big occasion on the Diamond League calendar, and it is the Rome one to clinch his 200-meter glory. He will have to erase a few loose ends there, and surprisingly, those are from last evening. 

Last night in the Silesia DL, Fred Kerley stood at the top of a stacked field. Despite Kishane Thompson’s absence, the list of opponents had looked heavy. In the end, the American sprinter showed why he has always been touted as the one for big occasions. In winning his title, he defeated names like Ferdinand Omanyala, Ackeem Blake, and Tokyo Olympics champion Marcell Jacobs. Still, Kerley did not stand on the fence line as the happiest man. 

Expressing the weak points, he claimed, “The race was shi**y as hell.” Rather, Fred Kerley continued, “I just ran and not being technically sound. But I know I’m about to get an earful once I get to my phone.” So when he comes back for the 200-meter event in the Rome Diamond League, he will try to level up those factors. Ultimately, he has already set his eyes on the bigger prize!

Fred Kerley Kerley knows his business pretty well 

Fred Kerley’s fallout with ASICS might have thrown a wrench in his plans for the Paris Olympics, but the man knows how to rise above the noise. All eyes were on him, wondering if he’d deliver after that sponsor drama, and boy, did he deliver. In the men’s 100-meter final, he silenced the doubters with a jaw-dropping performance, sprinting in none other than Nike spikes—the brand he ditched in 2022 for ASICS. And if you caught him at the Lausanne Diamond League, it looks like he’s back to rocking the Swoosh. So, did that Paris victory thaw the frosty relationship with Nike? It sure seems like it.

Fred, ever the king of cryptic comments, had this to say before heading to Lausanne: “In Paris, I think I got the job done on that day. That’s all I had on that day.” But despite his impressive runs, he hasn’t hit the top of the podium yet. Paris earned him a bronze, and Tokyo saw him snag a silver—both in the 100m. The one color missing? Gold.

Fred’s not one to settle, though. “I’m not leaving my career without Olympic gold in 2028 around the corner,” he declared. So, the mission isn’t over yet. Interestingly, he’s now got his sights set on the 200m, though his Paris dream was cut short when he didn’t make it through the trials.

Fast forward to August 22 at the Lausanne Diamond League, and Fred took third place in the 200m—his first race since the Paris Olympics. Is he laying the groundwork for future dominance in the 200m? What’s your take? We’d love to hear your thoughts below!