American star sprinter Kenny Bednarek has enjoyed a remarkable 2024 season, marked by his Olympic medal win in Paris and a Diamond League title victory against the pre-race favorite, Letsile Tebogo.
Career Highlights
Bednarek’s journey to success began at the US Olympic Trials, where he secured his place for the Paris Games by finishing second in both the 100m and 200m events behind Noah Lyles. Both athletes broke the long-standing meet record set by Michael Johnson in 1996, with Bednarek clocking a personal best of 19.59s in the 200m.
Despite having previously represented the United States at three World Championships and Olympics in the 200m, this season marked Bednarek’s debut on a global stage in the 100m, where he achieved a personal best of 9.87s in the final.
At the Paris Olympics, Bednarek faced a tough challenge in the 100m final, finishing in seventh place with a time of 9.88s. However, he rebounded spectacularly, securing the silver medal in the 200m with a strong run of 19.62s, finishing behind Tebogo, who set an African record of 19.45s.
Diamond League Victory
Bednarek capped off his season on a high note at the Diamond League final in Brussels, where he triumphed with a time of 19.67s, defeating Tebogo and showcasing his consistency and dominance in the event.
Coach’s Influence
The two-time Olympic silver medalist and Diamond League champion attributes much of his success to the guidance of his coach, Dennis Mitchell. In a pre-Olympics interview with CBS News, Bednarek revealed that embracing a more relaxed and fun approach to his training was crucial in achieving his goals this season.
Mitchell advised him to “stay calm, relax, have fun, and just go,” which Bednarek took to heart, stating, “I’ve been to a point that I try to do too much and failed, but this year I’m having a lot more fun, and all my races have been good and solid.”
Looking Ahead
Bednarek’s impressive performances in 2024 have solidified his status as one of the top three elite 200m sprinters in the world, alongside Tebogo and Lyles. As the athletics world anticipates the 2025 season, fans can look forward to exciting rivalries and spectacular showdowns among these three speed kings.