Fred Kerley soaks up the Floridian sun while collecting handfuls of home-grown okra and green chillies. Kerley cherises his vegetables, which represent the American’s unique mentality both on and off the track. His passion for gardening has also fortified his willingness to trust long periods of cultivation will produce great rewards, often against the odds. A blazing 9.86-second 100m final in Eugene this summer confirmed Kerley’s status as the sport’s new sprint king. with Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs’ season scuppered by injuries.
Kerley’s hours spent in the garden have proven fundamental to his pursuit of running 100m faster than any man before. The almost mythical figure of Usain Bolt may yet prove illusive, but there is suddenly a stunning conviction in Kerley’s eyes as he vows to break the Jamaican’s world record of 9.58 seconds.
