It was a race to remember, but for Kenny Bednarek, finishing seventh in the men’s 100-meter final at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite running an impressive 9.88 seconds—a time that would have earned him a medal in almost any other Olympic final—this race was unlike any other. In a historic showdown, all eight runners crossed the finish line in under 9.92 seconds, making it the fastest 100-meter final in Olympic history.

Noah Lyles claimed the gold with a blistering 9.79, narrowly edging out Kishane Thompson. But for Kenny, the race was about more than just winning. It was about a deeper, personal drive that transcends medals and records. Abandoned by his biological parents and placed in foster care, Kenny was raised by a woman named Mary, who became his loving foster mother. Yet, throughout his life, Kenny had always longed to reunite with his biological brothers and sisters. That desire to connect with his roots was what fueled his ambition to win Olympic gold. For him, a victory wasn’t just about athletic triumph—it was about finding the missing pieces of his identity.

As Kenny put it, “Winning the Olympic gold could help me find out more about myself, my heritage, and, you know, my biological brothers and sisters that I’ve had. They’re out there somewhere, and, you know, maybe after winning this gold medal, I could find that out, find where they’re at.” After the disappointing race, Bednarek’s raw emotion was impossible to ignore. Caught on camera, he was seen crying and covering his face as he spoke with coach Dennis Mitchell.

Three months later, track and field legend Justin Gatlin reflected on that moment, calling it one of the most significant in Kenny’s journey, one that ultimately shaped the “Kenny fame” we now know. On the recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast, both Gatlin and Rodney Green discussed Bednarek’s experience at the Olympics, and it seemed to resonate deeply with them.

Rodney shared how he was moved by the revelation that Kenny was running not for himself, but for the family he had lost. “He’s out there running for a medal to find his family. This is crazy,” Rodney said, visibly touched by the emotional depth of Kenny’s story.

Gatlin also weighed in on Kenny’s emotional response, particularly after finishing in seventh place. “Watching him being emotional after not placing where he wanted to place… with Dennis in the warm area, him shielding his face because he was being emotional—that’s what the world needs to see,” Justin said. “What are they going through right now?” Justin asked, acknowledging the weight of such disappointment. “It’s not always easy to bounce back from that kind of letdown.”

But what impressed both of them was that fans saw and felt Kenny’s vulnerability and raw emotion. Looking at the young man’s sincerest expressions of passion after the race, Justin might have become a bigger fan. “People watching, I feel like he gained so many more fans because of that,” he shared. But at the same time, Kenny is happy with his foster family, especially his mother.

Kenny Bednarek’s inspiring journey from foster care to Olympic champion

Kenny Bednarek’s journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics is anything but conventional. The Olympic champion was raised in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and was adopted by Mary Bednarek from foster care, alongside his twin brother Ian. For Kenny, family has always been about love and support, not simply biological ties. During National Adoption Month, he shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, reflecting on how his mother’s love provided the foundation for him to chase his dreams, “Having a safe, permanent home gave me the foundation to chase after my dreams.”

From helping him manage the symptoms of ADHD to providing the emotional support he needed to navigate his past, Mary’s presence has been constant. As Kenny has said before, “I wouldn’t be here without her.” Her influence was evident at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic when she cheered him on, shouting, “Go, Kenny!”—a moment that made Kenny chuckle and softly respond, “In my head, I’m like, ‘Mom, shhh!” Despite his playful response, it’s clear that he deeply appreciates her support.

After Kenny’s silver medal victory at the Paris Olympics, Mary’s emotions were overwhelming. “He’s one in a million, and I’m so lucky he’s my son,” she said, reflecting the pride and gratitude she feels for her son’s accomplishments. Kenny’s success is a direct result of her strength and love, and it’s clear that her guidance has shaped him into the determined athlete and person he is today. Let us know in the comment section what you feel about Kenny’s journey!