JOSH KERR is gearing up to compete against his arch-rival, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, in what is being hailed as a “race for the ages.”
The world champion is aiming for gold at the Paris Olympics and has become well-known for racing in sunglasses.
Ahead of batting for Olympic gold in the 1500m final, Kerr has revealed the reason for wearing his trademark sunglasses.
The reigning world champion has caught people’s attention not only for his impressive achievements on the track but also for his candid interactions with the media.
At 26, the sportsman is eager to retain the bronze medal he secured at the Tokyo Games and is embroiled in a fierce rivalry with current Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Their recent confrontation in the Olympic semi-final saw Ingebrigtsen finish ahead of Kerr.
However, their competitiveness began at the previous summer’s World Championships, where Kerr edged out Ingebrigtsen by 0.27 seconds to win gold.
The victory was marred by Ingebrigtsen’s claims of being under the weather, which Kerr found disrespectful.
They were asking, ‘Are you looking at me?’ I was like, ‘Maybe I am, maybe I’m not’, but it’ll rile some people up.
Josh Kerr
Known for his signature sunglasses during races, Kerr believes his unique style makes him recognisable at the start line and also provides a psychological advantage over his competitors.
Joining him in the final will be Team GB‘s Neil Gourley.
As Kerr prepares to face Ingebrigtsen once again, their verbal sparring will pause for the Olympic final.
“I think, with the sunglasses, it definitely lets me stand out,” Kerr told BBC Sport. “When the glasses go on, it’s game time.
“In the World Championships last year, I was wearing the darker sunglasses before heading out, so you couldn’t see my eyes.
“I chucked them on in the call room, I was just looking around, seeing what people were doing and no one knew where I was looking, so people were getting a little bit peeved off at me.
“They were asking, ‘Are you looking at me?’ I was like, ‘Maybe I am, maybe I’m not’, but it’ll rile some people up.
“I’m going to be myself and people can take that as they want but, for me, I’m not too worried about anyone else’s perceptions of me.”
The Team GB athlete famously sports a pair of Oakley sunglasses.
According to Runner’s World, Oakley shades are a particular favourite with cyclists and sprinters.
This is thanks to their impressive lens tech, impeccable lightness and overall first-class fit.
That being said, a pair of Oakley sunglasses will set you back around £159 to £230, depending on the line.
At the 2022 World Championships, he was seen wearing a £250 gold pair of Oakleys.
Asked whether the colour of his sunglasses sent a message to his rivals, Kerr laughed: “I’ve gone two for two [wins]. You can’t change it now, can you?
“I enjoy racing in them. I’m able to look around and no one knows where I’m looking.”
Kerr is optimistic about outperforming Ingebrigtsen and securing Team GB’s second track gold medal at the 2024 Games, after Keely Hodgkinson‘s win in the women’s 800m.
“We have some amazing characters within my sport, big personalities like Jakob Ingebrigtsen who has a lot of fans,” Kerr added.
“He goes out pretty hard and very consistent on the world stage.
“I believe that I’m currently the best 1500m runner in the world and I think he believes he’s the best 1500m runner in the world so our personalities clash a little bit when it comes to that and it’s pretty raw.
“People are excited to talk about that rivalry and I’m not going to shy away from talking about it. I’m all for it. I think we have a lot of similarities but it clashes sometimes.”
