Sprinter who claimed to beat Usain Bolt's 150m world record could be jailed after allegations of violence
A sprinter who previously claimed that he had beaten Usain Bolt’s 150m record is at risk of serving jail time.
Fred Kerley won Olympic silver and bronze at the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games and even claimed that he’d broken Bolt’s 14.35s 150m record, which the Jamaican set in Manchester in May 2009.
Kerley, 30, posted a video of himself running the distance to his Instagram in 2022 and claimed that he clocked a time of 14.01s – although this is not an official record.
And the 30-year-old has also claimed that he would defeat current Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles in a one-on-one sprint race.
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But away from the track, Kerley has huge personal issues to resolve.
As reported by the Washington Post on Monday (June 30), in January, Kerley and his girlfriend returned to their car near Miami Beach only to find it roped off by police.
An argument reportedly ensued, and body-cam footage shows that four officers restrained him.
This altercation was the first before a string of charges against Kerley, meaning he could face time in jail.
The WP claims that “the charges include two misdemeanors and a felony stemming from an altercation with police that included him being Tasered; an allegation of domestic violence made in 2024 by his now-estranged wife” as well as “allegedly punching an Olympian ex-girlfriend at a hotel in Miami before a track meet”.
Kerley has pleaded not guilty in all three cases.
His lawyer, Richard Cooper, believes all charges will be dismissed.
“I just don’t think that someone gets to this level of athletic performance by being a quitter or by being someone that wallows in their suffering,” said Cooper.
Meanwhile, a statement from USA Track & Field claimed that Kerley remains eligible to compete in its national championships, which begin in July 2025.
“USATF is monitoring Fred Kerley’s ongoing legal situation carefully and although he faces serious allegations, he also has the right to compete in certain track and field meetings (protected competitions),” a statement from the body read.
“USATF is determined to provide a safe environment for all our community with a zero tolerance policy on any form of violent behavior.”
Topics: Athletics, Olympics, Noah Lyles, Usain Bolt
Luke Davies