"I'm leading one of the biggest medal threats"- Josh Kerr after finishing faster than Jakob Ingebrigtsen in 1500m R1 at Paris Olympics 2024

By Adityan Pillai

Modified Aug 03, 2024 04:17 GMT

Josh Kerr recently weighed in on competing for the pinnacle position against arch-rival Jakob Ingebgritsen at the Paris Olympics 2024. The British athlete exuded confidence after comfortably winning round one of the Men's 1500m as he gained automatic qualification for the semi-finals.

Kerr kickstarted his Paris Olympic campaign in the Men's 1500m heats and dominated the line-up with a comfortable win after clocking 3:35.83. On the other hand, Ingebrigtsen finished third after clocking 3:37.04. Both athletes gained automatic qualification for the semi-finals.

Josh Kerr spoke about competing on the world's biggest stage, saying he was one of the biggest threats to Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who will be aiming to defend his Olympic title in Paris.

"Look these guys are great, but, I think that I am one of the best closers in the world. So, I wasn't too worried about it. Smooth and Easy. There is not a touch of nerves in me. I was built for moments like this. I'm leading one of the biggest medal threats Team GB's athletics team has ever had. I'm going to lead from the front and take the medal as mine," Kerr said (via BBC).

Josh Kerr on handling pressure while competing at Paris Olympics 2024

Josh Kerr at the World Athletics Championships. Budapest 2023. - Source: Getty

Ahead of the Paris Olympics, Josh Kerr spoke about handling pressure while competing in the quadrennial games in the French capital. The British athlete, who broke the indoor two-mile world record earlier this season, said he would not be running under pressure at the Olympics as he is not the reigning champion.

He was featured on the show "Beasts: Unleashed" and spoke about his mindset for the Paris Olympics.

"I want to do myself justice for all the hard work that I have put in and I feel like I have earned the right to have this conversation of about talking and going after the gold medal in Paris. I have to be realistic and know that I am not the current Olympic Champion," he said. (2:45)

"I am the current World Champion but you know Ingebrigtsen's the Olympic Champion and it's his title and it's his title to lose. I just need to have the belief and hopefully the training behind me will allow that dream to come into reality," he added.

Kerr will be in action in the Men's 1500m semi-finals at the Paris Olympics on Sunday, August 4, at 3:10 pm ET.