'The best is in the USA'- Fred Kerley opens up about tough Olympic qualification at USTAF trials

'The best is in the USA'- Fred Kerley opens up about tough Olympic qualification at USTAF trials

Abigael Wafula 09:00 - 14.05.2024

Olympic Games silver medallist Fred Kerley has insisted that the best sprinters in the world come from the USA and it will take a lot more to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The 2022 World 100m champion Fred Kerley has admitted that it will be an uphill task to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the 100m and 200m during the national trials.

Kerley, speaking during an interview with Jamaica Gleaner, Kerley noted that America has produced the best sprinters who are setting world leads and running faster times and the national trials will certainly prove to be nerve wracking.

The American remains confident that he will be able to shake off the tough competition and qualify for the games despite having a slow start to his season.

Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya Instagram handle for more news.

“The rivalry is always good like competing with all the best in the world and the best is actually in the USA so you have to run 9.8 and 19-something seconds to make the final squad so it’s all about being there at the right time,” Kerley said.

The 29-year-old made his indoor debut this season at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix where he finished fourth in the race won by track rival and compatriot Noah Lyles.

The Olympic Games silver medallist then proceeded to the Hurricane Invitational where he won the 100m and proceeded to the Hurricane Alumni Invitational to also win the 100m race in great fashion.

Kerley then stared his Diamond League campaign where he finished second at the Diamond League Meeting in Xiamen, China, clocking 10.17 to cross the finish line.

He then competed at the Diamond League Meeting in Suzhou/Shanghai where he finished third behind South Africa’s Akani Simbine and Christian Coleman, clocking 10.11 to cross the line. Kerley is yet to clock a sub-10 performance in the 100m but he remains hopeful ahead of the trials.

He made his debut in the 200m at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational Meet with a second-place finish behind Zharnel Hughes of Great Britain.

Tags: