SAINT-DENIS-D'OLÉRON, France — Kenny Bednarek, the Indian Hills Community College alum, moved on to the men's 100-meter finals Sunday at the 2024 Paris Olympics, albeit by the skin of his teeth.
Bednarek, who ran a Round 1 blazing 9.97-second race to lead the pack, fell behind in the semifinals and finished fourth in his heat running the event in 9.93 seconds. Fellow USA runners Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley ran 9.83 and 9.84 second races respectively.
When it came to the finals, all three Team USA runners — Bednarek, Noah Lyes and Fred Kerley — lined up in the nine-man race.
Less than 10 seconds later, Team USA would hold the gold and bronze medal earning times. Unfortunately, Bednarek was not one of them.
Lyles proved that he was the fastest man of the group as he ran a personal best 9.79 seconds. He was followed by the Kishane Thompson of Jamaica who also ran a 9.79-second race although a five-thousandth of a second slower. Kerley of Team USA rounded out the podium at 9.81 seconds.
Bednarek, affectionately known as "Kung-Fu Kenny" came out of the blocks strong in his ninja-style headband, but was quickly outpaced finishing seventh of the group.
Bednarek and Lyles will both participate in Round 1 qualifying for the 200-meter at 12:55 p.m. CT Monday. The two are also part of the USA men's 4x100m relay team.
