PARIS, France — American sprinter Kenny Bednarek accused Paris Olympics officials of ‘favouritism’ ahead of the men’s 200m final on Thursday.
Bednarek, who finished ahead of his compatriot, Noah Lyles in the hotly-contested half-lap event, used social media to express his grievances with the lane assignment just ahead of the finals.
Bednarek shared that despite winning his semi-final race, he was assigned Lane 9 for the finals.
Lyles, however, who was beaten in his semi-final by Letsile Tebogo, and who ran a slower time than Bednarak, was given Lane 5.
American sprinter Kenny Bednarek has raised concerns about favoritism ahead of the men’s 200m final at the Paris Olympics.
Bednarek, who finished first in his semi-final, was assigned Lane 9 for the final, while his compatriot Noah Lyles, who lost his semi-final to Letsile Tebogo, was placed in Lane 5 despite having a slower time than Bednarek.
In a social media post, Bednarek expressed frustration over what he perceives as an unfair lane assignment. “I won my semi-final and was given the outside lane, while someone who lost their semi-final got a more favorable lane.
It doesn’t make sense,” Bednarek wrote. His comments reflect a broader concern among athletes about transparency and fairness in race assignments, which are crucial for their performance.
Lane assignments in sprint races are typically based on qualifying times, with the fastest runners assigned the middle lanes, which are generally considered more advantageous.
Bednarek’s lane placement has sparked debate, as Lane 9 is on the outer edge and considered less favorable compared to the middle lanes.
Officials have defended the lane assignments, citing procedural fairness and the need to adhere to established rules.
The controversy highlights the ongoing scrutiny and pressure surrounding high-stakes Olympic events, where athletes and their supporters closely examine every detail of the competition.
As the final approaches, Bednarek’s accusations add an extra layer of tension to an already highly anticipated race.