'It means the world': Kenny Bednarek carries hometown support into his 2nd Olympics

Kenny Bednarek's journey as an athlete has taken him across the world, including to his second Olympics this summer.

More than 4,000 miles separate Paris, the site of the 2024 Olympics, and Rice Lake, where Bednarek got his start on the track. Despite being the top American finisher at the last Olympics in the 200 meters, Bednarek hasn't got the national attention other sprinters have gotten. Where he's continued to get support every step of the way though is from his home state and hometown.

"It means the world to have the support back home ever since high school and middle school — it means everything to me," Bednarek said. "I wouldn’t be here without their support. They are the people that helped push me to better every single day on and off the track."

During his time running track for Rice Lake, Bednarek set five school records for the Warriors. He won seven state titles, and still holds Wisconsin state records for all divisions for the 200- and 400-meters and has the 100 record for Division 2.

In one year at Indian Hills Community College, Bednarek won three NJCAA national championships before becoming a professional. In the six years since high school, he's burst onto the national scene with world and national medals, including an Olympic silver medal in Tokyo in 2021 for the 200.

This year Bednarek will run the Olympics in both the 100 and 200, as well as the 4x100 relay.

As Bednarek prepares to run in his second Olympics in a few weeks, the work he's done on the mental side of being athlete is where he's seen the most growth. Heading to Tokyo three years ago he was still in the early stages of being a professional and in the process of changing his diet, getting better sleep and focusing on recovery. Since then he's grown more accustomed to those routines as he trains in Florida.

"Now I’m having more fun with the process," Bednarek said. "Physically I’m good, but I feel like more of the mental side I’ve stepped it up a lot."

In the last year Bednarek has been giving fans more of an insight into the life of a professional athlete through his Road to Gold series on his Youtube page and other social media.

Fans watch on TV as Bednarek is introduced as Kung Fu Kenny with his signature headband, and seconds later crossing the finish line ahead of his competitors, but a lot more goes into that 10- or 20-second race.

The first episode featured a visit back to Rice Lake where his mother Mary Ann Bednarek and his siblings were introduced. He also stopped by the Rice Lake Public Library, where he spent a lot of time as a kid, and made his way to back Rice Lake High School and walked the track where he first displayed his talents to the Warrior faithful.

In other episodes Bednarek gives an inside look at workouts, his training teammates and the moments before and after races. It's about showing fans a personal look at an athlete's journey, he said.

"I think it’s very important for the athletes to have that connection, to see that athletes themselves are human," Bednarek said.

Bednarek's first appearance on the track in Paris is Aug. 3 for the first round of the 100 which will be run 4:45 a.m. Rice Lake High School will be hosting watch parties in the auditorium for Bednarek's semifinal and final races at the Olympics. The 100 semifinals are Aug. 4 at 1 p.m. with the finals at 2:55 p.m. Between the two races the Warriors All Sports Booster will have grilled hot dogs and burgers for sale.

The auditorium will also be open for a watch parties Aug. 7 for the 200 semifinals that will be run at 1 p.m., the 200 finals Aug. 8 at 1:30 p.m. and the finals of the 4x100 relay on Aug. 9 at 12:45 p.m.

Bednarek finished his first Olympic appearance with a silver medal but gold has remained the missing piece for him. He was also a silver medalist in 2022 at the World Athletics Championships, in 2023 at the USA Championships and in 2024 at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Being that close to his goal of gold has been the motivating factor to put in the extra work to become an Olympic champion.

"Being edged out the last time in less than tenths of a second, it was crazy," Bednarek said of the Tokyo Olympics. "Ever since then I’ve been pushing harder, being smarter with my whole routine and workouts. It means everything to win gold."