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Justin Gatlin has commended Bednarek's motivation for Olympic glory and his ability be vulnerable.
American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has publicly commended Kenny Bednarek for his heartfelt motivation and resilience on the path to Olympic glory.
Bednarek’s journey, highlighted in Netflix's docuseries Sprint, has struck a chord with fans and fellow athletes alike, including Gatlin.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Bednarek faced disappointment with a seventh-place finish in the men’s 100m final. However, he bounced back impressively, securing silver in the 200m behind Botswana’s rising star, Letsile Tebogo.
While his athletic feats were remarkable, it was the personal story shared in Sprint that captivated audiences.
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17:50 - 14.11.2024
'The track is my escape' - Kenny Bednarek reveals how racing connects him to his lost family
Kenny Bednarek has a mission beyond medals at the Paris Olympics, seeking to reconnect with his biological family through victory.
The docuseries revealed the emotional foundation of Bednarek’s Olympic ambitions. Alongside his twin brother Ian, Kenny was adopted by Mary Bednarek from foster care, forming a family built on love rather than blood.
Despite the bond with his adoptive family, Bednarek harbors a deep yearning to reunite with siblings from his early childhood before adoption. His Olympic dream, he shared, is fueled by the hope that the media spotlight might one day lead to that reunion.
Gatlin praised the raw authenticity of Bednarek’s journey, particularly his emotional response after the 100m final.
“Watching him being emotional after not placing where he wanted to in the 100 meters and having that heart-to-heart talk with Dennis (Mitchell) in the warm-up area, shielding his face because he was being emotional, that’s what the world needs to see,” Gatlin said in recent episode of Ready Set Go podcast.
"The Olympics only happen every four years, right? These athletes have a vision, a dream, a goal they’re working towards, and when they don’t reach that goal, what happens?"
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14:00 - 27.11.2024
'I'm trying to add two'- Kenny Bednarek reveals lofty ambitions for 2025 season
Bednarek is coming off a 2024 season of highs and lows.
"We all say, ‘Well, you’ve got to wait until the next four years,’ but what are they going through right now? Are they going to stand back up? That’s heavy on you, man, emotionally. I appreciate that they showed that because that, right there, tells me, I'm a Kenny fan but for people watching, I feel like he gained so many more fans because of that," he added.
Looking ahead, Bednarek is gearing up for a packed season. He aims to add another Diamond League trophy to his collection and is setting his sights on clinching a world title at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships.
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![[WATCH] - American internet personality rubbishes Sha'Carri Richardson's speed with Kylian Mbappe](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/09122024/78801d4a-2581-4961-a9ec-d7d57413dc78.png?operations=fit(600:))
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