PARIS, France — Indian Hills Community College alum Kenny Bednarek has seen an up and down Paris Olympics.
He qualified for his first 100-meter finals, finishing seventh despite running a sub-10 time.
He followed that up, defending his Tokyo silver medal with another silver in the 200-meter final posting a time of 19.62 seconds.
Bednarek looked to help Team USA break their medal-less curse in the men's 4x100m relays. However, the curse continued as a botched first baton exchange between Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek, outside the zone, led Team USA to be disqualified from the race.
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The disqualification meant the relay team hasn't earned a medal since 2004, and will have to wait another four years for redemption.
Following the race, amidst backlash in his role in the disqualification, Bednarek wrote a message to fans in an Instagram story. He acknowledged that the race, like every race, was a "tough lesson" but an important one "in becoming a better athlete."
"I know my performance in the 4x100m relay wasn't what my teammates or many of you expected," Bednarek wrote. "I share your frustrations, but I firmly believe Team USA consists of the best athletes in the world and we'll use this experience to come back better, faster and stronger."
Bednarek reflected on his Paris Olympic journey and what an honor it was to represent the U.S. in an Instagram post Sunday.
He said competing in three events taught him a lot and has only fueled his "hunger for more."
"LA 2028 is in my sights and I’m aiming for one thing: 3 gold medals," Bednarek said.
He added hearing the crowd and receiving the support from fans was "overwhelming in the best way possible." Thanking his mom, girlfriend, family and friends, saying he was filled with gratitude.
"It was so much more than I could’ve imagined and it made me genuinely happy and deeply appreciative of all of you," he said. "Getting here truly takes a team and the sacrifices made along the way are worth it when you have the right people beside you."