2025 has been a tough year for Fred Kerley so far. While the first leg of the Grand Slam Track in Kingston only saw him get a humble 7th place in the 100m, the second leg in Miami didn’t even materialize for him. Why? Well, that’s a different story altogether. But his fans weren’t ready to give up just yet, as the Philadelphia leg was still offering a chance to the Olympian to redeem himself. Until it didn’t. Yep, you heard that right. While the truth behind the Miami incident has yet to be made public, Kerley has not been shut out of the third leg of the GST.
For a guy famous for his intense focus and determination, that’s a tough pill to swallow. So, how does a true champion pick himself up after taking a hit like that? Well, Kerley’s answer came loud and clear on Instagram on May 23rd. He shared a powerful Instagram post of himself tearing down the track, with a caption that oozed confidence: “Pre-meet done, time to have fun. Tomorrow doing the 100m and 200m.”
It was a direct message to his rivals, signaling that he’s back and ready to dominate at the Diamond League’s Rabat event on May 24th. That post, brimming with his signature swagger, wasn’t just a comeback announcement; it was a warning shot. Kerley is determined to reclaim his place at the top, and he’s setting his sights on Morocco’s lively capital to do it.
What’s behind this fiery push for redemption? Rabat, with its incredible energy and a lineup of the world’s best, is the perfect stage for Kerley’s comeback. His personal bests—a blistering 9.84 in the 100m and 19.76 in the 200m—make him a serious threat. The fact that he’s entered both events at Rabat’s Mohammed V Stadium shows he’s fully committed.
The Grand Slam snub stings, but it’s ignited a fire within him. As the entire track world tunes in to Rabat, the big question is: will Kerley’s raw speed overshadow the recent drama, or will this be the start of a whole new chapter of headlines, both good and bad?
Fred is going up against a stacked 100m at Rabat
Well, Fred Kerley, the U.S. sprint sensation, is again geared up to ignite the track! After a bit of a bumpy ride in 2025, with that Grand Slam Track ousting and some unexpected run-ins, he’s hungry for a comeback. He’s got his sights set on redemption at the Diamond League’s Rabat leg this Saturday, May 25th. In Morocco’s Mohammed V Stadium, Kerley is about to face a seriously stacked 100m field, including South Africa’s lightning-fast Akani Simbine.
The big question on everyone’s mind is: Can Kerley’s explosive speed put him back on top? Speaking of Simbine, he’s been absolutely on fire this year, unbeaten in four 100m races and boasting a world-leading 9.90. Remember that incredible 9.82 he ran in the Paris 2024 Olympic final, setting a new South African record? Yet, even with that, Kerley just barely snagged the bronze with a 9.81 in what was truly the fastest Olympic 100m ever.
Simbine’s still feeling that sting of just missing the podium, and he’s leading a strong ten-person South African team into Rabat, clearly out for revenge. Will his flawless season give him the edge this time? And as if that wasn’t enough, we’ve got Botswana’s 200m Olympic champion, Letsile Tebogo, throwing his hat into the ring, adding even more excitement to what’s already shaping up to be an electric showdown.
Kerley, who’s got his eyes firmly on September’s World Championships in Tokyo, absolutely needs to clock a sub-10-second time to quiet all the doubters. Rabat’s incredible, buzzing atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for what promises to be an unforgettable sprint spectacle. When these titans clash, who will be the one to blaze across the finish line first?
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