Paris 2024 Olympics: Kenny Bednarek reveals why he did not participate in any more meets after the US trials

Paris 2024 Olympics: Kenny Bednarek reveals why he did not participate in any more meets after the US trials

Mark Kinyanjui 12:18 - 03.08.2024

Kenny Bednarek, who is also aiming for a hat-trick of gold medals in Paris, has explained why he scaled down on his events after the US Olympics trials.

Reigning Olympic 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek has revealed why he did not participate in any more meets after the US Olympic trials as he prepares to go for the kill in Paris.

Bednarek, who will be taking part in the 100, 200 and 4x100m relay at the event, has his eyes set on a hat-trick of gold medals which has not happened since 2016 when Usain Bolt exited the Olympics stage on a high.

His fellow compatriots, including Noah Lyles, have raced in more events since the trials, with the 26-year-old setting a personal best time of 9.81 at the London Diamond League classic two weekends ago.

Speaking on his latest episode on his YoutTube channel, Bednarek has now revealed why he opted against participating in more meets after the trials.

“I already know I am fast, so all I am working on is like small details. There is no real benefit going to Monaco or London or whatever. It just does not make any sense,” Bednarek explained.

The 25-year-old, who is training mates with Christian Coleman and Lindsey Courtney, has had difficulties with injuries over the last two years, but this season, has been very healthy and been dominant in almost all the races he has participated in.

Bednarek reveals those physical setbacks are now behind him as he prepares to achieve his targets at the upcoming games.

“This year, I am having a lot more fun. I feel like last year and the year before that with the injuries, I had a little too much pressure on me," he added.

“This year, I am having a blast and that is why I feel more relaxed, more talkative, more calm, and with that, I will run way faster than I have been.

“Now it's like when I go, it just feels natural. I do not feel anything like a pull or anything - like, I need to hit this time or I need to go faster -10 to 20. I can do it without repercussions.”

In the recent trials, Bednarek, who led the 200m race for most of the race, was overtaken by Noah Lyles, who finished with a record-setting 19.53, breaking the previous meet record of 19.66 set by Michael Johnson in 1996. 

Despite Bednarek’s impressive personal best of 19.59, earning him second place and moving him up to No. 7 on the all-time US performer list, Gatlin believes this setback will ultimately benefit him.

Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the 100m, discussed Bednarek's performance on his podcast Ready Set Go, co-hosted with Maurice Green. He emphasized that this second-place finish could ignite a new level of determination in Bednarek.

“This is good for Kenny because it gives him growth. It gives him fire in the stomach. He is going to go back to Claremont, he is going to know that the guy he wanted to beat is across town training hard, so he is going to train hard,” Gatlin said.

 “It is going to make him train hard. He will go there next four weeks and will put everything on the line, work extra hard to get the job done.”