"You’ve come a long way since I met you"- Kenny Bednarek's girlfriend pens a heartfelt note following his victorious campaign at the Paris Olympics

Modified Aug 26, 2024 17:45 GMT

Kenny Bednarek's girlfriend Sharmila Nicollet recently celebrated the sprinter's achievements ahead of his recent victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics. After being in a relationship for four years, the couple have been strong supporters of each other's professions.

Bednarek bagged a silver medal in the 200m event at the Paris Games. He achieved the feat by clocking 19.62 seconds and following Letsile Tebogo, who clocked a stunning 19.46 seconds. Bednarek surpassed the pre-race favorite Noah Lyles, who registered a time of 19.70 seconds.

Following his notable achievement, Nicollet, an Indian golfer, penned a heartwarming message for the American sprinter, reflecting on his three silver medals victory in the 2020 Tokyo Games, the 2022 World Athletics Championships, and the 2024 Paris Games.

"These achievements are more than just medals," she wrote. "It’s a testament to your unwavering dedication, perseverance, pushing past limits, never giving up even when the odds seemed insurmountable, and the countless sacrifices you’ve made along the way."

"Your journey reminds me that greatness isn’t just about talent, but about heart, grit, and the courage to keep going even when the road gets tough. You didn’t just chase your dreams, you caught them."

Further, she expressed her pride in his achievements and asserted confidence in greater success ahead.

"My heart is full and I couldn’t be prouder of the person you’ve become on and off the track. We are just getting started. Your best is yet to come."

"If I didn't meet her, I think we wouldn't be having this" - Kenny Bednarek credits his success to his girlfriend Sharmila Nicollet

Kenneth Bednarek celebrating the gold medal in the Men's 200m Final at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo via Getty Images)

Kenny Bednarek attributed his success in athletics to his girlfriend Sharmila Nicollet after his 2024 Paris Olympics victory.

In a conversation during The Running Effect Podcast, the American sprinter stated that meeting the golfer during COVID-19 played a pivotal role in his career as she significantly contributed to his personal growth and track success.

"If I didn't meet my girlfriend in 2020, I think that's when COVID started coming up, if I didn't meet her, I think we wouldn't be having this conversation," Kenny Bednarek said.

"I don't think I would be who I am today. I mean, she is the biggest reason why I have been so successful, just because she's a professional athlete as well. She's a professional golfer and she knows what it takes because she's been on that level," (at 32:24).

Recalling the initial conversation between them, he said:

"And meeting her, it was kind of like, hey, I want to be an Olympian. And then she laughed at my face saying, well, you gotta step it up."

Kenny Bednarek won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games (hosted in 2021) and the 2022 World Athletics Championships by posting 19.68 and 19.77 seconds, respectively.