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"Never seen favoritism like this on a global scale" - Kenny Bednarek lashes out at authorities on incorrect lane assignment for Paris 2024 200m final
Kenny Bednarek lashed out at authorities for incorrect lane assignment for the 200m finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The American athlete was initially assigned lane number 4 despite being the second-fastest qualifier for the men's 200m finals.
According to the new rules of lane assignment, lane numbers 6,7 and 8 are assigned to the fastest qualifiers in the semifinals followed by lane numbers 4,5 and 9. Bednarek was assigned lane number 4 in the start lists initially released on the official website of the Paris Olympics.
In the initial start list, Letsile Tebogo who was the fastest qualifier with a time of 19.96s was assigned lane number 6 whereas despite being the second fastest qualifier Bednarek was assigned lane number 4.
The American athlete took to X and lashed out at authorities for the error at the global event.
"Never seen favoritism like this on a global scale," he said.
The authorities made the changes to the start list after a couple of hours and Bednarek revealed that the changes were brought about after he protested.
"I protested!"
The updated start list has Bednarek competing in lane no. 8 and Tebogo, the fastest qualifier, has been assigned lane no. 7 in the men's 200m finals.
The 200m is one of the most thrilling events of the track and field leg of the Paris Olympics. With Tokyo Olympics champion Andre De Grasse eliminated in the semifinals in Paris, the world will witness a new Olympic champion.
Noah Lyles, Letsile Tebogo, Kenny Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton are some of the top athletes who will be competing for the ultimate Olympic crown.
Kenny Bednarek on competing at the Paris Olympics
Kenny Bednarek spoke about competing at the Paris Olympics in an interview with Olympics.com in May 2024.
The American athlete discussed the competitiveness in the sprint events but maintained that he was confident in putting forward a great show at the Olympics.
"Every single year it seems like there's always a new person around the block. Especially in the 100- and 200-meter, so many phenomenal athletes. Every single time I step on the track, I know that they're going to be working just as hard as me and by the time I get to the track, you know, respect for everybody else... but I'm going to be the top dog when the gun goes off," he said.
Bednarek will be in action in the men's 200m finals scheduled to be held on August 8, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
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