Kenny Bednarek: 5 facts about the Team USA track and field star aiming for his first Olympic gold

For the Paris Olympics this summer, For The Win is helping you get to know some of the star Olympians competing on the world’s biggest stage. We’re highlighting 15 Team USA athletes in the 15 days leading up to the Opening Ceremony. Up next is Kenny Bednarek.

Kenny Bednarek has some unfinished business from 2021, and he means to settle it in Paris.

The 25-year-old track and field sprinter from Wisconsin is set to return for the 2024 Paris Olympics after qualifying for the men’s 100-meter and men’s 200-meter events for the United States. Bednarek may not be the favorite to win gold in Paris, but he is no doubt a medal contender after his qualifying times this summer.

Here are five things to know about Bednarek ahead of the Paris Olympics.

1. Kenny Bednarek took home silver in 2021 at the Tokyo Olympics

In his first Olympics in 2021, Bednarek won the silver medal in the men’s 200-meter event, beating out Team USA teammate Noah Lyles for the position.

#TeamUSATF goes & in the Men’s 200m final!pic.twitter.com/KFY2ldts4T

— USATF (@usatf) August 4, 2021

The race was a close one, as Bednarek finished with a then-personal best 19.68, just behind Canada’s Andre De Grasse, who won gold with a time of 19.62 seconds.

2. He holds a national record in a very unique category

In 2019, Bednarek became the youngest and only American athlete to run sub-20 and sub-45 times in 200-meter and 400-meter outdoor events respectively on the same day. The record happened during the 2019 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, an event that shot Bednarek’s name to stardom.

Some people said it was all the wind.

We think it's all the athlete.

Kenny Bednarek finishes the 200m at 1⃣9⃣.8⃣2⃣ in a headwind. That's the third fastest time in collegiate history.#NJCAATFpic.twitter.com/nYFYcxdYHn

— NJCAA Cross Country and Track & Field (@NJCAAXCTF) May 18, 2019

3. He recorded his personal best times in the 100-meter and 200-meter at Olympic trials

Coming into the 2024 Paris Olympics, Bednarek set two personal best times during the Olympic trials. During the 200-meter event final — Bednarek’s specialty — the sprinter ran a 19.59, breaking his personal best record. And in the 100-meter final, Bednarek completed the race in 9.87 seconds, also a personal best.

2 PBs. 2 Teams. 2x Olympian.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to my incredible team and family, including the support from my fans. Your encouragement means the world to me. I'm thrilled to compete at the Olympics in front of fans and I'm determined to bring home the gold.… pic.twitter.com/OlUQcGYXu8

— Kung Fu Kenny (@kenny_bednarek) June 30, 2024

4. Bednarek’s nickname is “Kung Fu Kenny”

The nickname “Kung Fu Kenny” adorns Bednarek’s various social media pages. But how did it come about? It all stems from the headbands Bednarek wears during races, as well as the connection to the movie character Rambo. Even better? Bednarek’s husky is named Rambo!

Miss the days when my husky Rambo was one year old and followed me outside without a leash. Now he’s an escape artist and finds 100 ways to run away from the house. pic.twitter.com/ZwIeIGcaEl

— Kung Fu Kenny (@kenny_bednarek) July 8, 2024

And it’s clear Bednarek leans into his nerdy side too, as his Instagram shows is a fan of the anime Naruto as well.

5. Bednarek’s Olympic journey starts on August 3

Fans won’t have to wait long to see Bednarek race, as his first event — the men’s 100m — will start on August 3.