Going to the Olympics is every athlete’s biggest dream. This dream comes with years of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. As the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Track & Field soon approaches, countless athletes will finally see this dream come true. Unfortunately, one talented athlete will have to sit out and wait another four years.

Kai Cole, a track athlete from Norfolk State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), recently showcased his exceptional speed. He clocked 10.05 seconds in the 100 meters and 20.55 seconds in the 200 meters at the MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. These times were more than fast enough to qualify him for the Olympic Trials, where the best compete for a spot on the Olympic team.

However, the MEAC track meet where Kai ran these impressive times wasn’t officially approved (sanctioned) by USA Track & Field (USATF), the organization that oversees track and field events in the U.S. This technicality means his times didn’t count for qualifying for the Olympic Trials.

Kai and his coach, Jerry Price, appealed this decision, hoping USATF would make an exception, but their appeal was denied. This ruling prevents Kai from competing in the Olympic Trials, despite his qualifying times. In a heartfelt message on social media platform X, Kai expressed his disappointment and heartbreak, having poured years of effort into this opportunity. He wrote, “Out of the 5 years of putting my all into Norfolk State Track and Field, it is unfortunate that this is the way my journey has to end. Being a multi-time champion in the MEAC conference and a 3x school record holder, it’s upsetting that this was out of my control.”

The track and field community responded with outrage and sympathy. Fans shared their dismay in the comments. One supporter wrote, “This is heartbreaking,” while another tagged the MEAC track meet, stating, “@MEACSports this is really unacceptable.” Another track fan shared how the talented star will have to sit out the Olympics until they come to LA in 2028, stating, “No, this dream can’t end like this. If you can’t participate this year, 2028 OTs have to be an option. #WhatAboutKai.” One person tried to lighten the tension by sharing, “This is sad!!!! Do you know how fast a 10.05 is??? Mine would be a 100.05!!” But the reality is still heartbreaking.

The qualifying standards for the men’s events are tough: for the 100 meters, it’s 10.05 seconds (automatic) and 10.2 seconds (minimum). For the 200 meters, it’s 20.3 seconds (automatic) and 20.6 seconds (minimum). Kai’s time of 10.05 seconds matched the Automatic Standard for the 100 meters, and his 20.55 seconds for the 200 meters was right between the Automatic and Minimum Standards. This means he should have qualified. As we reflect on this heartbreaking turn of events, it’s even more poignant to know that stars like Noah Lyles and others had previously praised Kai’s incredible qualifying speed.

How Noah Lyles praised Kai Cole’s qualifying speed for the US Track and Field Trials, acknowledging their past connection

Following his blazing speeds that should have qualified him for the Olympic Trials, Kai Cole received a nod from 2023 World Champion Noah Lyles. Kai’s Olympic Trial-worthy performance was also praised by football players and “The King of NIL,” Rayquan Smith, who posted Kai’s incredible times on X. Rayquan Smith shared, “Kai Cole from Norfolk State running Wind Legal 10.05 #9 IN THE NATION.” Replying to this, Noah Lyles wrote in the comments, “I see you, Kai!”

Lyles’ support for Cole was truly special, especially since Kai aims to compete alongside him as an Olympian. The two share a connection from their high school days, as both attended Alexandria City High School (formerly T.C. Williams HS). Kai Cole, Noah Lyles, and his brother Josephus were all on the same high school track team, and their success stories took off from there. The Lyles brothers signed 8-year deals with Adidas right after high school, while Cole went on to carve his own impressive path. Kai was even a huge support for Noah through college and he excelled at every stage of his own athletic journey.

In his senior year of high school, Cole won the state 6A championship in the outdoor 200 meters, was the state runner-up in the 55 meters, and took third in the 100 meters. His junior year saw him become an all-state performer in the 55m, 100m, and 200m. Cole’s college career was just as stellar. As a freshman, he became a Division III national champion in the 60-meter dash with a personal record of 6.77 seconds.

He was also a conference champion, a first-team All-American in the 100m dash, and placed eighth in the 100m at the D-III nationals. His top wind-legal times were 10.70 in the 100m and 21.33 in the 200m. He even broke school records for the indoor and outdoor 200 meters, as well as the 60-meter dash. Despite these years of hard work, it’s easy to see why this unexpected end is such a massive blow to track and field fans. What are your thoughts on this turn of events? Share in the comments below!