Kenny Bednarek on the lasting impact of his mother: 'She's inspired me to be a better person every single day' - Exclusive
As Kenny Bednarek settled into the starting blocks at last year's Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, a hush fell over Hayward Field - save for one voice that was quite familiar to the 200m Olympic silver medallist.
"She was like, 'Go, Kenny!'" Bednarek laughs, adding: "And in my head, I'm like, 'Mom, shhh!'"
There is a special bond for the 25-year-old Bednarek and his mother, Mary, who adopted Kenny and his twin brother Ian out of foster care and helped him navigate early issues, including ADHD and the emotional repercussions that living in the system brought about.
"We worked through everything," he said of his family, with Mary adopting four children in total. "The heart that my mum had, the perseverance to go through adopting four kids by herself and sticking it through... she's inspired me to be a better person every single day.
"And she's inspired me to keep living my dream because I wouldn't be here without her."
Bednarek is gearing up for what he hopes is another glistening summer in 2024 after capturing silver behind Andre De Grasse at Tokyo 2020 in 2021 in the 200m.
Earlier this month, he set a world lead in the event for the season at 19.67 - a career best - and Saturday (25 May) he laces up at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic stop in Eugene. It's the same track he'll look to book an Olympic team spot at next month - and where he can hear the echoes of his mum's unwavering support.
"My mum loves to scream, so I know for a fact I'll hear her," he said, laughing again.
Kenny Bednarek: 'I'm going to be top dog when the gun goes off'
The U.S. sprint scene has gone from strong to stronger over the last Olympic cycle, with reigning 100m and 200m world champion Noah Lyles leading the way. But there is a whole host of talent that will try and land on the Olympic roster for Paris 2024, and, while Bednarek is well aware of that, he's keeping things solely focused on his own lane.
"Every single year it seems like there's always a new person around the block," he told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview last month. "Especially in the 100- and 200-metre, so many phenomenal athletes."
"Every single time I step on the track, I know that they're going to be working just as hard at me," Bednarek continued. "And, by the time I get to the track, you know, respect for everybody else... but I'm going to be the top dog when the gun goes off."
That world lead effort in Doha sets Bednarek up well for Prefontaine, where compatriots Erriyon Knighton, Kyree King and Courtney Lindsey are all set to line up next to Bednarek - as is Letsile Tebogo of Botswana.
Knighton and Tebogo won the silver and bronze, respectively, in the 200m at Worlds in 2023. Bednarek finished fifth.
But for Bednarek, it's all about focusing on himself.
"I'm just keeping a balanced season," he said, with races including in the 100 and 400m along with his staple in the 200. "We're ramping things up. ... This year, I'm just trying to focus on having fun and make sure that I make the [Olympic] team and, you know, go out when the time comes."
On Usain Bolt: 'I want to pick his brain'
As Bednarek eyes a second Olympic team, he still hasn't met his sprinting idol, multi-time Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt. It's something he'd like to do someday.
"I've never met him, but, Usain is somebody that I looked up to as a kid and [it'd] just be nice just to pick his brain and know his thoughts and just see how he was able to accomplish everything he did."
Bednarek said he's trying to take some cues from the all-time great from Jamaica, but also that he's trusting his own process, as well as the team that surrounds him as they bid for Paris.
"I just know all the work that I put in to help me reach this moment," he said. "I trust my coach, my technique, and everybody else who has supported me. The confidence is through the roof, and all that I need to do is execute."
He's learned plenty along the way, but check-ins with mum are still necessary, even as he's claimed Olympic and world medals, ticked up to a six-figure following on his social media channels and become a household name in the sport - and beyond.
"[My mum] always told me to stay humble," he said, smiling. "I've always told her to let me know, too like, 'Hey, mom, if I ever get too cocky, just let me know.' Because I don't want to change just because I get more fame, more money.
"That's the one thing that just stuck with me. If I ever get a little too cocky, she always reminds me, and I appreciate her for that."