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The Olympic silver medallist in the 200m has reflected on his best season acknowledging his mistakes and setting goals for future success.
Olympic 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek has called 2024 the best season of his career after wrapping up a remarkable year with a victory at the Brussels Diamond League.
Bednarek, who also secured his second consecutive Olympic silver medal in the 200m at the Paris Games, dominated his final race of the season, defeating the reigning Olympic Champion Letsile Tebogo.
The American sprinter competed in both the 100m and 200m at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, finishing second behind Noah Lyles in both events to secure his spot on Team USA for the Paris Olympics.
Reflecting on his performance this year, Bednarek shared his thoughts with his fans on Instagram.
"I made mistakes, and I’m not afraid to own them," he wrote.
"But I also made the podium, and I’m proud of that. And after everything I pushed through to close out my season, I became the Diamond League Champion. I couldn’t be more satisfied with my performance."
Bednarek’s Olympic journey in Paris proved to be a test of endurance and versatility.
In addition to winning silver in the 200m with a time of 19.62 seconds, he also placed seventh in the 100m final, further establishing himself as a formidable dual-threat sprinter.
However, his hopes of securing a medal in the 4x100m relay were dashed when the U.S. team was disqualified in the final.
Despite the setback in the relay, Bednarek remained upbeat, calling 2024 a transformative year.
"This was the best season of my career," he reflected.
"I got to show the world what a healthy Kenny was capable of, what I could do when I’m not injured, and how fast I can run when I hear the roar of the fans cheering me on."
In addition to his Olympic success, Bednarek made a series of impressive appearances in the Diamond League, clinching three wins and ultimately being crowned the Diamond League Champion in the 200m.
Bednarek’s journey to Paris was not without its challenges as he fought through injury setbacks in previous seasons, and this year was the first time he was able to compete fully healthy.
His performances reflected the hard work he had put in, and his results demonstrated his potential to dominate on the world stage for years to come.
"I changed the narrative from just being a 200m runner to becoming one of the most versatile and dangerous competitors on the track," Bednarek said.
Following his success at the Paris Olympics, Bednarek expressed gratitude to those who helped him reach this point in his career.
"I want to thank my family, my team, and my coach for their unwavering support. Without them, I wouldn’t have made it this far," he said.
The 25-year-old had already set his sights on the next season, eager to build on his momentum and further solidify his place as one of the world’s top sprinters.
"Securing another medal is a testament to years of dedication, hard work, sacrifices, and support from everyone who believed in me."
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