NAIROBI, Kenya, May 8 – Olympics 200m silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek admits he has fallen in love with Kenya due to its welcoming atmosphere and hospitable nature of the people.
The American will be competing at the Kip Keino Classic for the second time and admitted he thoroughly enjoyed his first time in the country during the third edition of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event in May last year.
“Why Kenya? It is because the people are good and the food is great. The track itself (Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani) is perfect for us to compete in. That is why I keep on coming back…the whole series has been good to us and like I said before, this is a great meet,” Bednarek said.
Despite savouring the sights and sounds of the city in the sun, things did not pan out well last time round for the American on the track as he finished a disappointing sixth in the men’s 100m, timing 10.15.
Regardless, Bednarek is bullish about his prospects this time round, noting that he is fully fit after shrugging off his injury woes of the past one year.
“Last year I was rusty but this time I am healthy so I’ll see what I can do. A win here in Nairobi would mean a lot…right now, I am trying to progress on my block starts. If I can hone in and get in the zone, then that is going to be a plus although I know it is going to be a tough competition,” he said.
The world 200m silver medalist added: “This year I have been focusing on the small details. Last year, as I said, the injury crept up and I wasn’t able to do as much as I would have wanted but this year I have been working on the fine details…on my block starts so I can hit my top speed.”
The American is expected to be in contention for the world title at August’s World Championships in Budapest.
He admits he is getting tired of the ‘Mr Silver Medal’ tag owing to the fact that he has thus far come close yet so short of the world and Olympics titles.
“For sure I am tired of being Mr Silver…getting second place all the time. This year I am coming with a different mentality…yeah, the goal is to double (in the 100m and 200m). Each year, I have gone into competitions and doubled,” he said.
Bednarek will be pitted on Saturday in the men’s 100m against Commonwealth Games champion Ferdinand Omanyala, the world 4x100m relay champion Jerome Blake of Canada and the world 100m silver medalist Marvin Bracy of the United States, among others.
Other foreign athletes who have so far arrived for the global showpiece on Saturday include Blake, the 2014 World Indoor 800m silver medalist Angelika Cichoka, United States’ Terry Twanisha (100m) , Kyra Jefferson (200m), Kyree King (200m), Aaron Brown (200m) and Teahna Daniels (100m).
