# Fred Kerley

Fredrick Lee Kerley (/ˈkɜːrli/ KUR-lee; born May 7, 1995) is an American track and field sprinter. He was the Olympic silver medalist over 100 m at the 2020 Olympics and bronze medalist at the 2024 Olympics in the same event. Kerley has earned an additional six medals at the World Championships, most notably 100m gold at the 2022 edition. He has also medalled in the 400m, 4 x 100m relay, and 4 × 400 m relay and won eleven Diamond League races, including two Diamond League finals - the 400m in 2018 and the 100m in 2021.
His personal best time of 43.64 seconds makes him the tenth fastest man in history over 400 metres. During the pandemic, Kerley chose to focus on the 100 m during the Olympic cycle to improve his basic speed for future attempts at a sub-43 400 m. The decision to move down paid off as he won the silver medal in the 100 m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a 9.84 performance. His personal best time of 9.76 seconds makes him the sixth fastest man in history over the straightaway sprint, behind Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell and Justin Gatlin and joint with Christian Coleman and Trayvon Bromell.
Kerley is one of only three men along with Michael Norman and Wayde van Niekerk to go sub-10 seconds in 100 m, sub-20 seconds in 200 m and sub-44 seconds in 400 m.

## Early life and college

Kerley attended Taylor High School and his youth team was the College Station Sprinters in College Station, Texas. Afterwards he attended South Plains College from 2013 to 2015 before transferring to Texas A&M.
In 2016, Fred Kerley tried out for the Olympic team at the USA Olympic Trials. He did not qualify out of his heat, but he went on to represent the United States at the NACAC Under-23 Championships where he anchored the 4 × 100 meters relay team to gold.
In March 2017, he won the 400 m at the NCAA Division I Championships in a world leading time of 44.85 s, one of the top ten fastest indoor times ever. He joined his younger brother Mylik Kerley as he anchored the Aggies to a come from behind victory in the 4 × 400 m relay. The two first-place finishes contributed 20 points to the team, helping bring Texas A&M to their first ever team victory at the NCAA Track and Field Championships, run on their home track. In May, Kerley ran 44.09 s, just 0.09 s off the NCAA record, while easing to the finish line at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships in Columbia, South Carolina. A few weeks later Kerley set the NCAA record in the men's 400 m at the 2017 NCAA West Preliminary with a time of 43.70 s, taking three-tenths of a second off the 44.00 record by Olympic champion Quincy Watts, set almost 25 years earlier. Kerley had met Watts just before the race. He concluded his amateur career to win the 400 m and 4 × 400 m relay at the 2017 NCAA Division I Championships in June.

## Professional career
### 2017

A few weeks after turning professional and signing with Nike, Kerley won the 400 m at the USATF Championships in 44.03 seconds, qualifying to represent the United States in both the 400 m and the 4 × 400 m relay at the World Championships in London. After winning his heat he finished third in his semi, but qualified for the final on time. In the final he was unable to replicate his form from earlier in the season, finishing seventh in a time of 45.23 s. He came back a day later to help the US qualify for the finals in the relay, and then a few days later earned a silver medal behind Trinidad and Tobago.

### 2018

Training under Kevin Tyler with widely renowned club ALTIS in Phoenix, Arizona, Kerley finished 3rd in the 400m at the 2018 US Indoor Championships, failing to qualify for the individual 400m at the upcoming World Indoor Championships but making it onto the 4 × 400 m relay team. There, he helped the team to a silver medal finish.
Outdoors, Kerley ran several races across the international circuit, including a win in the 400 m at the Rome Diamond League. However, none of his times came close to his 43.70 personal best. Despite suffering an injury in June, Kerley bounced back in August to win at the Birmingham Diamond League, before winning the Diamond League trophy for the men's 400 meters in Zurich. After the season, he returned to Texas A&M to train under Alleyne Francique, stating to Track & Field News, "I believe in him so much that I had to come back to train with him."

### 2019

In May, Kerley was selected to compete for the US in the 4x400 m relay at the IAAF World Relays, but the team was disqualified in the final. He won over 400 m at the Shanghai Diamond League with a time of 44.81 s, and followed it up with another win at the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston, Jamaica. A month later, Kerley won the US title in a new personal best of 43.64 seconds, making him the 7th fastest man on the all-time rankings at the time. At the World Championships in Doha, Kerley won the bronze medal in the 400 m with a time of 44.17 s. He also helped the US to win gold in the men's 4x400 m relay.

### 2021

After the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 season and delayed the 2020 Summer Olympics by a year, Kerley kicked off his 2021 season with several 100 m races in order to work on his speed for the longer sprint; he broke the historic 10-second barrier at the TRUfit Classic in Miami on April 24, winning in 9.91 s (+2.0 m/s). On May 19, he won the men's 100 m in 9.96 s at the Golden Spike in Ostrava, finishing ahead of former Olympic and World champion Justin Gatlin who settled for second in 10.08 s. Kerley also ran in the 200 m where he placed second with a time of 20.27 s, trailing Kenny Bednarek from the start who won in 19.93 s. According to Reuters, Kerley was satisfied with his performances, but thought there was more work to do in his 200 m and his focus for the Olympic Trials would be 400 m. However, despite finishing third over 400 m at the Doha Diamond League and winning at the FBK Games, he decided to focus on the 100 m and 200 m at the Trials due to his ankle swelling on the turns. Kerley also stated that the popularity of the 100m was another factor in his switch.
Despite online backlash for his decision, Kerley silenced doubters by finishing third in the 100 m at the Trials, qualifying for his first Olympic team. In the 200 m, Kerley struggled through the rounds due to the turns and their impact on his ankles, and he narrowly qualified for the final on time. However, he managed to finish an impressive fourth with his first sub-20 s performance; this made him the 3rd athlete to join the "Sub 10s, 20s, 44s club for the 100m, 200m & 400m sprints", behind 400m World Record holder Wayde van Niekerk & Michael Norman.
At the Olympics in Tokyo, Kerley won the silver medal in the 100 m, finishing behind Marcell Jacobs. He also ran in the heats of the 4 × 100 m relay as the US were eliminated in the heats. Following the Olympics, Kerley placed second at the Prefontaine Classic over 100 m and at the Laussane Diamond League over 200 m. He set a new personal best of 19.79 s over 200 m in winning the Paris Diamond League. At the Diamond League Final in Zurich, Kerley won the 100 m in a time of 9.87 s and placed third over 200 m in 19.83 s. He ended his season in September by winning over 200 m at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, running a time of 19.79 s.

### 2022

In April, Kerley won over 200 m at the USATF Golden Games in 19.80 s, narrowly beating Michael Norman who ran 19.83 s. On 13 May, Kerley competed in his first Diamond League of the season in Doha, placing second in the 200 m. He also placed second over 100 m at the Prefontaine Classic, running 9.98 s to finish behind Trayvon Bromell. On 28 May, Kerley won the 100 m at the Rome Diamond League in 9.92 s.
At the 2022 US Outdoor Championships, Kerley won the 100 m in 9.77 seconds. Kerley ran 9.76 seconds, a personal best, in the semi-final. He went on to place third in the 200 m in 19.83 seconds.
While competing in the 2022 World Athletics Championships, Kerley won his maiden individual World Championship gold medal in the 100 m. In the final, Kerley pipped compatriot Marvin Bracy on the line with a time of 9.86 seconds to win. Fellow American Trayvon Bromell finished third, completing a clean sweep. He was knocked out of the 200 m in the semi-final.

### 2023

Kerley enjoyed a strong start to his 2023 season, taking home a win over 100 m at the Golden Grand Prix in Yokohama as well as in the Rabat, and Florence Diamond Leagues, he also won over 200 m at the Doha Diamond League.
At the US Outdoor Championships, Kerley contested only the 200 m as he had already qualified for the 100 m at the 2023 World Championships due to being the reigning World Champion. He placed fourth in the final of the 200 m to Erriyon Knighton, Kenny Bednarek, and Courtney Lindsey. Later in July, he placed second over 100 m in the Silesia Diamond League.
Kerley went out in the semi-finals of the 100m at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. However, he earned gold as a member of the USA's 4 × 100 m relay team.
In September, soon after his third-place finish in the Xiamen Diamond League 100 m, Kerley announced that he was no longer coached by Alleyne Francique and would be coached by Quincy Watts, the Director of Track and Field at the University of Southern California.

### 2024

On 4 February, Kerley ran a personal best of 6.55 s over 60 s at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. In a tweet on May 14, Kerley announced that the next time he raced the 100 meter distance, he planned to break Usain Bolt's world record of 9.58 seconds. On June 9, Kerley was scheduled to compete in the 100 meters at the New York City Grand Prix, but forfeited the race due to apparent faulty starting blocks. After the race, he parted ways with his sponsor Asics.
On June 23, Kerley finished third in the 100 meter final at the U.S. Olympic Trials, behind Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek. At the 2024 Summer Olympics, Kerley was the bronze medalist in the 100 meters, finishing in a time of 9.81 seconds behind Kishane Thompson and Noah Lyles.
On August 25, Kerley set a new meet record in the 100 meters at the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial, with a time of 9.87 seconds. At the Diamond League Final in Brussels, Kerley placed third over 100 m and fifth over 200 m.
In September, it was announced that he had signed up for the inaugural season of the Michael Johnson founded Grand Slam Track.

## Statistics

Information from World Athletics profile unless otherwise noted.

### Personal bests

| Surface | Event | Time | Venue | Date | Notes |
| Outdoor | 400 meters | 43.64 | Des Moines, United States | July 27, 2019 | #8 all-time |
| Outdoor | 200 meters | 19.76 A | Nairobi, Kenya | September 18, 2021 | +2.0 m/s wind, #22 all-time |
| Outdoor | 100 meters | 9.76 | Eugene, United States | June 24, 2022 | +1.8 m/s, #6 all-time |
| Outdoor | 4 × 400 m relay | 2:56.69 | Doha, Qatar | October 6, 2019 | 2019 WL |
| Outdoor | 4 × 200 m relay | 1:21.11 | Austin, United States | April 2, 2016 | |
| Outdoor | 4 × 100 m relay | 38.63 | San Salvador, El Salvador | July 16, 2017 | |
| Indoor | 400 meters | 44.85 | College Station, United States | March 11, 2017 | Indoor 2017 WL, #7 all-time |
| Indoor | 200 meters | 20.58 | Fayetteville, United States | January 27, 2017 | |
| Indoor | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:01.97 | Birmingham, United Kingdom | March 4, 2018 | |

### International championship results

Representing the  United States :
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Time |
| 2016 | NACAC U23 Championships | San Salvador, El Salvador | 8th (semis) | 200 m | 21.17 | +0.7 m/s wind, q |
| 2016 | NACAC U23 Championships | San Salvador, El Salvador | 1st | 4 × 100 m relay | 38.63 | PB |
| 2017 | World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 7th | 400 m | 45.23 | |
| 2017 | World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 2nd | 4 × 400 m relay | 2:58.61 | PB |
| 2018 | World Indoor Championships | Birmingham, United Kingdom | 2nd | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:01.97 | #2 all-time |
| 2019 | World Relays | Yokohama, Japan | DQ | 4 × 400 m relay | — | Lane violation |
| 2019 | World Championships | Doha, Qatar | 3rd | 400 m | 44.17 | |
| 2019 | World Championships | Doha, Qatar | 1st | 4 × 400 m relay | 2:56.69 | WL, PB |
| 2021 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan | 2nd | 100 m | 9.84 | +0.1 m/s wind, PB |
| 2022 | World Championships | Eugene, United States | 1st | 100 m | 9.86 | -0.1 m/s wind |
| 2022 | World Championships | Eugene, United States | 20th (sf) | 200 m | 20.68 | -0.1 m/s wind |
| 2023 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 9th (sf) | 100 m | 10.02 | -0.3 m/s wind |
| 2023 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 1st | 4 × 100 m relay | 37.38 |
| 2024 | Olympic Games | Paris, France | 3rd | 100 m | 9.81 | +1.0 m/s wind |

### Circuit wins and titles

* Diamond League 400 meters champion: 2018
* Diamond League 100 meters champion: 2021
** 2018 (400m): Rome Golden Gala (SB), Birmingham Grand Prix, Zürich Weltklasse
** 2019 (400m): Shanghai Diamond League (SB)
** 2021: Paris Meeting (200m, PB), Brussels Memorial Van Damme (100m), Zürich (100m)
** 2022 (100m): Rome
* World Indoor Tour
** 2018: Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix

### National championship results

Representing South Plains College Texans (2014–2015), Texas A&M Aggies (2016–2017), Nike (2018–2022), and Asics (2023-2024) :
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Time |
| 2014 | NJCAA Division I Championships | Mesa, Arizona | 6th | 400 m | 46.84 | |
| 2014 | NJCAA Division I Championships | Mesa, Arizona | 2nd | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:05.86 | |
| 2014 | USATF Junior Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 8th | 400 m | 47.49 | |
| 2015 | NJCAA Indoor Championships | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 2nd | 400 m | 47.15 | SB |
| 2015 | NJCAA Indoor Championships | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 2nd | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:12.56 | |
| 2015 | NJCAA Division I Championships | Hutchinson, Kansas | 11th | 400 m | 47.81 | |
| 2015 | NJCAA Division I Championships | Hutchinson, Kansas | 3rd (semis) | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:11.75 | q |
| 2016 | NCAA Division I Indoor Championships | Birmingham, Alabama | 8th | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:07.49 | |
| 2016 | NCAA Division I Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 13th | 400 m | 45.99 | |
| 2016 | NCAA Division I Championships | Eugene, Oregon | DNF (semi 1) | 4 × 100 m relay | — | |
| 2016 | NCAA Division I Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 4th | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:03.94 | |
| 2016 | US Olympic Trials | Eugene, Oregon | 27th | 400 m | 46.70 | |
| 2017 | NCAA Division I Indoor Championships | College Station, Texas | 1st | 400 m | 44.85 | WL, PB |
| 2017 | NCAA Division I Indoor Championships | College Station, Texas | 1st | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:02.80 | |
| 2017 | NCAA Division I Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 1st | 400 m | 44.10 | |
| 2017 | NCAA Division I Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 4th | 4 × 100 m relay | 38.72 | SB |
| 2017 | NCAA Division I Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 1st | 4 × 400 m relay | 2:59.98 | |
| 2017 | USATF Championships | Sacramento, California | 1st | 400 m | 44.03 | |
| 2018 | USATF Indoor Championships | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 5th | 400 m | 45.63 | A |
| 2019 | USATF Championships | Des Moines, Iowa | 1st | 400 m | 43.64 | PB |
| 2021 | US Olympic Trials | Eugene, Oregon | 3rd | 100 m | 9.86 | +0.8 m/s wind, PB |
| 2021 | US Olympic Trials | Eugene, Oregon | 4th | 200 m | 19.90 | +0.3 m/s wind, PB |
| 2022 | USATF Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 1st | 100 m | 9.77 | +1.8 m/s wind |
| 2022 | USATF Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 3rd | 200 m | 19.83 | -0.3 m/s wind |
| 2023 | USATF Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 4th | 200 m | 19.86 | -0.1 m/s wind |
| 2024 | US Olympic Trials | Eugene, Oregon | 3rd | 100 m | 9.88 | +0.4 m/s wind |
* NCAA results from Track & Field Results Reporting System.

### 400 metres seasonal bests

The two highlighted times are track records (accurate as of September 2024).
| Year | Time | Venue | Date |
| 2014 | 46.38 | Mesa, United States | May 16 |
| 2015 | 47.15 | Albuquerque, United States | March 7 |
| 2016 | 45.10 | Tempe, United States | April 9 |
| 2017 | 43.70 | Austin, United States | May 26 |
| 2018 | 44.33 | Rome, Italy | May 31 |
| 2019 | 43.64 | Des Moines, United States | July 27 |
| 2021 | 44.60 | Doha, Qatar | May 28 |
| 2022 | 44.47 | St. George's, Grenada | March 5 |

## Personal life

Kerley's older cousin is former NFL wide receiver Jeremy Kerley.
Kerley has a Christian faith and regularly attended church after practice.