Kenny Bednarek walked into the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou with fire in his tone and a chip on his shoulder. “I’m dangerous. I mean, I figured things out. My start is better. I’m stronger, healthy, and that’s all I can say. I’m dangerous,” he declared before the meet. And on the track, he backed up every word.

Already riding high after a dominant showing at the Miami stop of Grand Slam Track—where he went two-for-two—Bednarek knew the real test awaited in Guangzhou. Why? Rewind to the Paris Olympics: a mistimed takeoff by Bednarek and a scramble from Christian Coleman led to a botched opening exchange in the men’s 4x100m. Team USA’s disqualification added to a long, painful history of relay woes on the world stage. But this time, redemption was on the table—and Bednarek didn’t flinch. In the men’s 4x100m relay, Bednarek torched the track with the fastest splits in both the semifinal and the final. Thanks to his explosive leg, Team USA clocked the quickest 200m and 300m segments in the final. Still, it wasn’t quite enough for gold. South Africa stunned the field with a world-leading 37.61 seconds, edging out Team USA’s season-best 37.66. Heartbreaking? Yes. But Bednarek chose pride over pain.

“Just missed the top spot but proud of my teammates for getting that Silver Medal and Qualifying,” Kenny Bednarek posted on X on May 11. “I split two of the fastest times in the Semis & Final. Clean exchanges & the races felt effortless. Felt good to deliver when it counted. Taking this speed to Tokyo for World Champs!” For Bednarek, Guangzhou wasn’t just about medals—it was about growth, redemption, and momentum. And with Tokyo on the horizon, he’s not just dangerous—he’s locked in. Furthermore, the 2-time Olympic medalist now has become a popular figure for his character. 

On May 11, the spotlight swung squarely toward Kenny Bednarek—and not just for his blistering splits on the track. Raes Take TV, a former U.S. athlete turned outspoken sports commentator, responded to a fan’s question about Bednarek’s influence on American sprinting. His words? Sharp, clear, and undeniable. “Kind of why that’s a debate question,” he wrote on X. “Cause he really is carrying American sprinting on his back right now. Consistency is key in any sport. And he’s the most consistent and most dominant right now.”  It’s a bold claim—but not a baseless one. Why? While Bednarek soared, the rest of Team USA stumbled.

Former Olympic coach displays her despair 

The 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou will go down as a bitter chapter for Team USA. One gold medal. That’s all the world’s most dominant sprint nation could muster—three fewer than last year—leaving athletes, coaches, and fans reeling.

It wasn’t just the medal count that stung. Baton drops, disqualifications, and missed finals painted a picture of chaos and confusion. The men’s 4x400m relay team didn’t even make it to the final. The mixed 4x100m suffered a painfully awkward exchange between Jada Mowatt and Kendal Williams, all but sealing their fate. For many, it was more than just a rough meet—it was a warning sign. And the backlash came fast.

Team USA’s former Olympic gold medal-winning coach Mechelle L. Freeman didn’t hold back. Taking to X, she posted a scathing critique: “It can never be about everybody getting a chance to run. The decisions should always be based on doing what it takes to accomplish the task as best as possible, every single time. Period. #MinimizeRisk #MaximizePerformance.” The message was clear: team selection should be based on performance, not politics or participation. In a follow-up post, Freeman hinted at deeper dysfunction behind the scenes: “So many things I wish I could say…” And she’s not alone. Commentators across the sport are echoing the same concerns—questioning coaching strategies, athlete preparation, and the persistent relay chemistry issues that have haunted Team USA for decades.

As the team turns its focus to the World Championships in Tokyo, the stakes are higher than ever. Will USA Track & Field finally address its relay demons—or will history keep repeating?