Fred Kerley’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics was nothing short of a masterclass in resilience and raw talent. Even though he didn’t capture the gold in the 100m, the reigning world champion still proved he’s a force to be reckoned with by clinching a hard-fought bronze. Kerley crossed the finish line in an impressive 9.81 seconds, just behind Kishane Thompson, who clocked in at 9.69 seconds, and Noah Lyles, who snatched gold by a razor-thin margin of 0.005 seconds over Thompson with a time of 9.68 seconds. The competition was fierce, and the stakes were high, but Kerley showed that he’s still very much in the race to be the world’s fastest man.

Reflecting on his Paris performance, Kerley said in a recent interview, “In Paris, I think I got the job done on that day.” Yet, he wasn’t shy about acknowledging that it wasn’t his best. “That’s all I had on that day,” he admitted, with a mix of determination and realism. The gap between Kerley and Lyles is significant, but for someone with Kerley’s trajectory, it’s far from insurmountable.

Kerley’s journey to the Olympic podium has been anything but ordinary. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he initially competed in the 400m, where he secured a silver medal. But instead of resting on his laurels, Kerley made a bold and strategic decision to switch to the 100m, banking on his blistering speed to take him even further. This switch didn’t just bring new challenges—it thrust him into the heart of the fiercest competition in track and field.

In Paris, Kerley faced some of the fastest sprinters on the planet. He went head-to-head with Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion who stormed to victory in 9.68 seconds. Right behind Lyles was Jamaica’s rising star, Kishane Thompson, who secured silver with a time of 9.69 seconds. But the competition doesn’t end there—Kerley will also have to contend with the likes of South Africa’s Akani Simbine, Italy’s Lamont Jacobs, and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo as he eyes future victories.

Despite his impressive resume, Kerley knows his journey is far from over. “I feel like the job’s still not finished because 2028 is around the corner,” he said, with the determination of a man who won’t be satisfied until he’s claimed the Olympic gold. He’s taking the lessons learned in Paris and turning them into fuel for Los Angeles. “I’m not leaving my career without Olympic gold in 2028,” he declared. Confident and focused, Kerley is ready to sprint over any obstacles in his path, determined to turn his dreams into reality.

Walking a Mile in Kerley’s Shoes

Fred Kerley’s rise in track and field has been nothing short of meteoric. His journey began at the College Station Sprinters during high school. He then made a breakthrough at South Plains College before achieving iconic victories at Texas A&M. Kerley’s professional journey started with a season that is hard to forget! Kerley during his 2017 season, went on to set an NCAA record in the 400m. He followed this up with a gold medal at the NACAC U23 Championships.

The years that followed saw Kerley’s transition to international stages. He continued his gold rush in the 100m at the 2022 World Championships. However, his journey was not without tragic downfalls. Kerley faced a path to Tokyo riddled by injuries. But despite this, he won silver in Tokyo and even won a series of Diamond League races. Kerley’s list of laurels goes on! He’s one of the only three men to run sub-10 seconds in the 100m, sub-20 seconds in the 200m, and sub-44 seconds in the 400m. As Kerley gears for LA, the world has got its eyes on him. Will Kerley’s childhood dream materialize itself at LA2028? Only time will tell!̧̌ But judging by his confidence, it is safe to say, Kerley’s journey is far from over.