‘We’re not the same’ – US sprinter fires shots at Ferdinand Omanyala, Kishane Thompson & Co

The Olympics medalist has aimed digs at his track rivals who he feels are getting plenty of love yet they haven’t reached his level yet.

American sprinter Fred Kerley never shies away from speaking his mind even if whatever he says might elicit some controversy.

Kerley is one of the outspoken sprinters and gets under the skin of his rivals and fans with his interesting takes pertaining to track and field.

While he prepares for the inaugural Grand Slam Track, which will begin with the first of the four legs in Kingston, Jamaica in April, Kerley seemed to aim shots at the likes of Olympics silver medalist Kishane Thompson and Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala.

Thompson sprung to fame when he clocked a world leading 9.77 seconds in 100m at the Jamaican Olympics trials last June, which remains the world’s fastest time, before he went on to give Noah Lyles a run for his money at the Paris 2024 Olympics, losing by microseconds, while Kerley was a distant third.

However, Kerley seems to feel that his rivals are getting more respect than he deserves yet they have not yet matched his achievements.

“We are not the same. I ran 9.8 in just three months, and the next year, I hit 9.7. It took y’all an entire career to do what I did,” Kerley posted on Instagram.

“And some of your favorites don’t even have an individual Olympic medal—but go ahead, try again,” he added.

While Kerley’s shots were generalized, they are believed to be aimed at his Jamaican rivals, who have been receiving the love from fans and the athletics family since his impressive time last year.

Another sprinter who may also feel targeted by Kerley’s comments is Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala whose African record of 9.77 seconds has yet to help him win a medal at a major championship medal.

Phase II of renovations at Kasarani Stadium are making fine progress ahead of the April deadline.

Kerley, an Olympics silver and bronze medalist in 100m, and three-time world champion, has an 100m personal best of 9.76 seconds, the sixth fastest of all-time, recorded in August 2022 at the US Championships.

The American sprinter will compete against compatriot Kenny Bednarek, Jamaican Oblique Seville among others at Grand Slam Track, with the first leg penciled for April 4-6 in Kingston, before moving to, Miami (May 2-4), Philadelphia (May 30-June 1) and conclude in Los Angeles from June 27-29.