Fred Kerley’s story at the 2024 Paris Olympics is one of drama, resilience, and sheer determination. At 29, the American sprinter who dazzled the world with a silver medal in Tokyo has now added a bronze in the 100 meters to his collection. But the journey to Paris was anything but smooth.

Fred’s Olympic dreams were nearly dashed in 2016 when he failed to qualify for the Rio Games. But as the saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait,” and Kerley’s perseverance has paid off spectacularly in recent years.

The path to glory, however, was marred by a dramatic fallout with his sponsor, Asics. The relationship imploded after Kerley breached his contract by wearing Nike spikes before a crucial race. This breach led to an abrupt and public annulment of their partnership. Asics, in a terse statement following the 2024 NYC Grand Prix, where Kerley was seen sporting non-Asics gear, announced, “ASICS and Fred Kerley have mutually parted ways and he is no longer an ASICS-sponsored athlete. We wish him the best in his career.” This split not only left Kerley unsponsored but also dealt a significant blow to his finances, especially on the eve of the Paris Olympics.

Kerley’s tenure with Asics was fraught with issues from the beginning. When he signed with them in 2023, he missed the World Championships 100m final and switched coaches to Quincy Watts. The partnership was rocky, to say the least. Track and field critic Raes spilled the beans on a podcast, revealing that the custom spikes Asics provided Kerley broke during his first practice.

Despite these setbacks, Fred Kerley remains undeterred. He continues to shine on the track, showing that no sponsor or gear mishap can hold him back. As he competed in the Olympic Trials and the Games themselves, fans were left wondering: if not Asics, what spikes propelled him to his latest triumphs?

What Spikes Does Fred Kerley Wear?

During the qualification round of 100 meters at the Paris Olympics 2024, Fred Kerley was seen wearing Nike spikes despite of being unsponsored. Kerley and Nike go way long back when Nike sponsored him in 2017 after Kerley became the NCAA champion. During the period with Nike, Kerley was seen blooming through his career with getting medal at Olympics to winning world championships. While during the trials of the Olympics he went back to wearing Nike Air Zoom Maxfly spikes.

Just before parting ways with Asics, Kerley was seen wearing Puma spikes at the NYC Grand Prix 2024, which stirred the talk of him might pairing up with the brand, though nothing has been confirmed yet! “I ain’t switch it up. I left my bag at the airport,” stated Kerley when he was questioned about wearing Puma instead of Asics. Puma has previously sponsored the legendary Usain Bolt which was the largest ever athletic deal back in 2003 which continued till 2016 Olympics as well. Well definitely Kerley has jumped to the next brand, his protentional move to Puma might boost his net worth alongside the lightning Bolt. While Asics worked as a brand for middle-distance runners, Puma has their forte in fast runners which might prove to be beneficial for Kerley!

Fred Kerley’s journey through sponsorships is far from over. Beyond Asics, he has also partnered with renowned brands like TAG Heuer, Oakley, and Pace Sports Management. As his star continues to rise, there’s no doubt we’ll see new and exciting collaborations on the horizon. Stay tuned, because Fred Kerley’s story is just getting started!