He promised it, he did it! After a very close race, Fred Kerley, silver medalist in Tokyo last summer, seized the title of world champion in the 100m, this Saturday evening, in Eugene where he beat in 9.86 (-0.1 m/s), his compatriots Marvin Bracy (9.88) and Trayvon Bromell (9.88). A dream hat-trick for the United States (the first “clean sweep” since 1991 with Lewis, Burrell and Mitchell), in the mythical enclosure of Hayward Field, while the Worlds are organized for the first time in the country!
The “USA! USA!” were quick to descend from the stands to the track where the winner, aged 27, had started his lap of honor before wrapping himself in the star-spangled banner. Defending champion Christian Coleman left the stadium through the back door following finishing sixth in 10.01. “I’m happy for the other guys”reacted Coleman. “I know the amount of work that goes into these medals. For my part, I will use my loss to come back stronger.” The Italian Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs, injured in the thigh, had, for his part, withdrawn for the semi-finals.
Fred Kerley, who has four of the five best time performances of the season in the 100m, has thus become the first sprinter in history to have medals in the 100m and 400m, the discipline from which this dark sprinter comes. Until an injury decides him to move towards the shortest distance according to the Olympic Games. An astonishing reconversion, which he does not want to be final, but crowned with success! “It was not the most important time on Saturday but the place. The gold medal counts more than anything and I am happy to have imposed myself”comments Fred Kerley. “Besides, an American trip at home, it’s really a great moment to remember. The job is done, now I have to focus on the 200m and the relay.”