Two-time Olympic medallist Fred Kerley, a dominant force in the 100m, has been arrested in Florida and will miss the upcoming Grand Slam Track meet in Miami this weekend. Kerley, who was scheduled to compete in both the 100m on Saturday and the 200m on Sunday, was taken into custody following an incident at a hotel.
Grand Slam Track confirmed the arrest in a statement, saying, “Fred Kerley was arrested last night. The matter is under active investigation, and all inquiries should be directed to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Fred will not compete this weekend. We have no further comment at this time.” The statement did not provide further details on the nature of the arrest or any timeline for Kerley’s release.
According to Reuters, Kerley, 29, has been charged with touch or strike battery, following an altercation that took place at the meet hotel in Florida. While the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, authorities have not yet released additional details. Kerley’s team has remained tight-lipped about the situation, and no further official comment has been made.
The arrest comes as a major setback for the American sprinter, who had been building up momentum ahead of the summer’s major competitions. Kerley, a bronze medallist in the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Championships, was expected to be a strong contender in both the 100m and 200m events this weekend.
Kerley had participated in the inaugural Grand Slam Track meet last month in Kingston, Jamaica, where he marked his return to competitive action. He had been a key attraction for the Miami leg of the meet, but now, due to his arrest, will not be able to compete.
The arrest of one of track and field’s top athletes is sure to have ramifications on the upcoming events. Fans and the sporting world alike are awaiting further details on the situation. It remains to be seen how this will affect Kerley’s future participation in upcoming meets and competitions, including his preparations for the World Championships later this year.
