Fred Kerley, the 2022 World 100m champion, recently addressed the rumors surrounding his absence from the men’s 100m race at the USTAF New York City Grand Prix. Contrary to speculation that he was disqualified for a false start, Kerley clarified that issues with his starting blocks prevented him from competing.
On the day of the event, Kerley faced difficulties with his spikes and encountered a problem with the starting blocks, leading to a delay in the race. He attempted to start twice but slipped out of the blocks each time. After these unsuccessful attempts, Kerley made the decision to walk off the track, resulting in his non-participation in the race.
Kerley’s season had been progressing fairly well up to this point. He began with a victory at the Hurricane Invitational and continued his winning streak at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational. His Diamond League campaign started with a second-place finish at the Xiamen Meeting, followed by a third-place finish at the Suzhou Meeting. However, an injury forced him to withdraw from the Stockholm Meeting, marking a challenging phase in his season.
Despite these setbacks, Kerley remains focused on his primary goal: the US Olympic trials. His early season successes have demonstrated his competitive edge, and he is determined to overcome recent hurdles to secure his place in the upcoming Olympic games.
Fred Kerley’s explanation has dispelled the false narratives surrounding his performance at the NYC Grand Prix, shedding light on the actual circumstances that led to his withdrawal. As he redirects his efforts toward recovery and preparation for the trials, the track and field community continues to support and anticipate his return to top form.
