American sprinter Kenny Bednarek is accusing race officials of “favoritism” over the lane assignments of the men’s 200 meter final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Bednarek, the world-ranked No. 2 sprinter behind compatriot Noah Lyles, was unhappy with the lane assignment for Thursday’s race as he was placed away from the “preferred positions.”
Bednarek won his semifinal race with a time of 20.00, the second fastest of the final qualifiers.
“Kung Fu Kenny” was originally set to start in lane 4 while Lyles was set to race in lane 5.
American Erriyon Knighton and Botswanan runner Letsile Tebogo were placed in lanes 6 and 7, respectively.
American Kenneth Bednarek accused the Olympics of “favoritism” after he was given an unfavorable lane for the Men’s 200m final on Thursday. Sportsfile via Getty Images
Bednarek won his semifinal race with a time of 20.00, the second fastest of the final qualifiers. PA Images via Getty ImagesThe middle 5-8 lanes are considered the preferred positions for the 200m, as the inside and outside lanes have issues with visibility around the bend.
“Never seen favoritism like this on a global scale,” Bednarek, the defending Olympic silver medalist, said in a post on X.
Bednarek launched a protest about the lane assignments, and organizers to reassign the lanes.
He was moved to lane 8 following the protest.
Noah Lyles, the world number 1 rank, will race from lane 5 in the finals. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsLyles, Bednarek, Knighton and Tebogo are the top-ranked runners in the event with the latter three all winning their semifinals on Wednesday.
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Tebogo was the fastest out of all three semifinals, finishing in 19.96, followed by Bednarek (20.00) and Lyles (20.08) while Knighton and Dominican Republic runner Alexander Ogando both ran at 20.09.
Bednarek launched a protest about the lane assignments, which forced organizers to reassign the lanes.
Bednarek launched a protest about the lane assignments, which forced organizers to reassign the lanes. DeFodi Images via Getty ImagesOgando is now running in lane 4 after the officials switched him and Bednarek.
World Athletics officials complete three separate draws to determine the lane assignments in for the 200m finals.
The men’s 200m final is set to go off at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
With Post wires.
