USain Bolt was right. A few days ago, the former sprint king from Jamaica prophesied that his world record over 100 meters in the title fights in Eugene would not be in danger. For 13 years, the record has been 9.58 seconds, set when he won the World Cup in Berlin. His time remained untouchable no matter how hard the world’s new fastest man tried to staccato his nimble legs on the hard turf of Hayward Field on Saturday night local time.
The fact that Fred Kerley needed 9.86 seconds, and was therefore much slower than he had predicted, did not bother the Texan, who triumphed for the first time in a global championship in the royal sprint. “The main thing is that I won, everything else,” said the 27-year-old after the spectacle, “is secondary.”
With his success, the Olympic silver medalist from Tokyo not only kept his own promise of victory, but also played his part in the hosts being able to celebrate their longed-for triple triumph with chants of “USA, USA”. Behind Kerley, Marvin Bracy-Williams (28) and Trayvon Bromell (27) crossed the finish line in 9.88 seconds, with Bracy-Williams being honored in second for being 2/1000 seconds faster. After 1983 and 1991, the colored trio ensured the US boys’ third triple victory at the world championships.
Triple triumph for the US sprinters (from left): Trayvon Bromell, Fred Kerley and Marvin Bracy celebrate their success
Source: dpa/Michael Kappeler
In the first few meters, however, it did not look as if Kerley would live up to his role as favourite. The two military jets jetting over the stadium shortly before the starting gun had shaken his concentration a little, making it difficult for him to get into his usual powerful running rhythm. Christian Coleman (26), the fourth American in the final field, proved to be a lightning starter. But the defending champion, who was suspended for the Summer Games in Tokyo because he missed three doping tests, couldn’t keep up the initial pace and only finished sixth in 10.01 seconds.
“Means more to me than anything else”
Up to ten meters before the end of the day, it seemed as if Bracy-Williams, who was running alongside Kerley on lane five, would become the hero of the evening. But with his last five steps, the new champion passed him. Kerley wasn’t sure of his victory, though. The powerhouse stared spellbound for a good twenty seconds at the oversized video screen and, when he saw his name flash up on number one, hit his chest several times with his right fist before starting the lap of honor.
“The gold medal means more to me than anything,” Kerley said after high fives and a few autographs. “It is incredibly satisfying to have achieved this success on home soil and in front of a home crowd. It’s a blessing to win the first World Championships in the United States and to be able to celebrate silver and bronze at the same time.”
It was a pity, said Kerley, that Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs and third-placed from Tokyo, Andre De Grasse from Canada, did not make it to the final. “I was so looking forward to a revenge.” But this had to be cancelled. The Italian had decided not to start in the semifinals in the afternoon due to an old gluteal strain and adductor problems.
Italian Jacobs is the fastest man in the world
Surprise win in the Olympic 100m final. The Italian Marcell Jacobs crowned himself as the fastest man in the world in Tokyo and thus ensured the first European Olympic victory over the shortest sprint distance since 1992.
“A painful decision, forced to retire,” Jacobs tweeted. “I’m a fighter and that’s why I chose to be in Eugene. In order not to jeopardize the rest of the season with the risk of a serious injury, I have to postpone the challenge now. I promise I’ll do my best to make you dream!” The North American de Grasse fell weakly in the semifinals. Two weeks ago he had tested positive for Corona.
Kerley narrowly escaped jail
Needless to say, Kerley felt sorry for the two rivals, but he was all the happier when, shortly after the triumphal run, he was able to get in touch with his aunt Virginia, who was to be one of his first well-wishers. The lady he adored sat in front of the television at home in Texas and followed what her adopted son was up to on the west coast. “To her,” said Kerley, “I owe everything, to her I owe what has become of me. Without her, we probably wouldn’t be speaking now.”
Little Fred moved in with her when he was two years old. She also cared for his four siblings as his father was in prison and his mother had taken wrong paths in her life, as Kerley describes his parents’ devious life. Fred and his siblings grew up with eight other children at their aunt’s. “As a teenager,” he said, “I got into trouble with the law.” He wouldn’t say exactly what his crime was. But thanks to his aunt’s influence, he narrowly escaped jail time. When he decided to become a sprinter, he got his surrogate mother’s nickname “Meme” tattooed on his left arm in honor of his surrogate mother.
The aunt had also motivated Kerley to his decision made in the spring of last year not to start over 400 meters in the future, but to compete in the short sprint. And that despite the fact that he had already won a full set of World Cup medals over the stadium round. “My aunt encouraged me. Being the fastest person in the world is the ultimate in my sport. He’s something he’s looked at in particular.” One day, this title should help him achieve legendary status à la Usain Bolt. At least that’s what he dreams of.
Kerley’s mission at the University of Oregon’s $200 million souped-up arena isn’t over yet. Until the end of the ten-day championship, he is still speculating on two more brilliant performances, namely over 200 meters and with the relay, which after the showdown in the 100-meter final can only defeat itself. “Our festival has only just begun,” said Kerley and not only advertised himself: “Wait and see what other highlights we will offer.”
