Man, if you’re a track fan, you know Justin Gatlin’s been around the block. Olympic gold, world titles, the works. But even a legend like Gatlin can get caught off guard. Recently, he spilled the tea on his bout with Fred Kerley, and let’s just say, it’s a story that’ll make you lean in. Gatlin’s been singing Kerley’s praises lately, especially during Fred’s feud with Noah Lyles, hyping up his 400m game. “That clip aged very well because 44.7. Fred has a lot more season in that event. He knows how to run it. Really good run,” Gatlin said, nodding to Kerley’s blistering 44.7-second 400m.

He was equally stoked about Kerley’s 400m win at the Golden Spike meet, saying, “I was actually impressed on the fact of him getting round the track, and fighting for the win, because being a short sprinter, and going back into the long sprint, it’s foreign to you.” So, what’s the deal with Gatlin’s newfound respect for Kerley?

Flash back to May 2021 at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava. Gatlin, a 100m titan, lined up against Kerley, who was dropping down from the 400m to test his speed in the 100m. Gatlin revealed in a recent episode of his ReadySetGo podcast that he thought he had this in the bag. “The first 100 Fred ran was actually against me, so I’m thinking like, ‘Oh Fred, he’s running. He’s dropped down from the four to run 100 just to get some speed work in,’” Gatlin recalled. At the 30-meter mark, he was ready to leave Kerley in the dust. “I was like, ‘I’m about to drop Fred off right here.’” But then, plot twist. Kerley surged, clocking a stunning 9.96 to Gatlin’s 10.08, snatching the win. How did Gatlin react to getting schooled?

“Dang. Yeah, Fred dropped me off,” Gatlin admitted with a laugh. That race flipped the script for him. While the internet buzzed with skepticism about Kerley’s 100m chops, Gatlin was already a believer. “I was like, ‘Look, listen, everybody—Fred’s real.’” That moment in Ostrava showed Gatlin that Kerley’s ability to close distances was no joke. So, how did this race change their dynamic?

Fast forward, and Gatlin’s not just respecting Kerley, he’s hyping him up and has also addressed Kerley’s recent troubles away from the track. From underestimating Fred’s speed to cheering his 400m dominance, Gatlin’s journey shows the heart of track: fierce competition, but mad respect. What’s next for these two as Kerley keeps rising?

Fred Kerley’s Olympic journey eyeing a homecoming in LA 2028

Man, Fred Kerley’s got that fire. The American sprinter’s already got two Olympic medals, and he’s not slowing down. Recently, he took to X, hyping up his dream of racing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “The journey don’t stop. My 2 Olympic medal from Tokyo to Paris. Next stop homecoming,” Kerley posted, flexing his hardware. He even threw some shade, adding, “Some of yall best athletes don’t got one.” So, what’s behind this bold confidence?

Let’s rewind to Tokyo 2020, delayed to 2021 because of COVID-19. Kerley blazed to a silver medal in the men’s 100m, proving he’s a force. Fast forward to Paris 2024, and he stepped up his game, clocking a scorching 9.81 seconds in the 100m final. But that race? Pure drama. Noah Lyles, his American teammate, and Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson pushed him to the limit. Lyles snatched gold by a mere five-hundredths of a second, leaving Kerley with bronze. Talk about a photo finish! How close was that race, really?

Now, Fred Kerley’s got his eyes on LA 2028, a homecoming on U.S. soil. With two Olympic medals already, he’s hungry for more. Will he top the podium in front of a home crowd?