Usain Bolt Mocks Fred Kerley After 9.97 Win At Enhanced Games

Usain Bolt has delivered another teasing reply after American sprinter Fred Kerley fell well short of threatening the Jamaican legend’s 100m world record at the controversial Enhanced Games in Las Vegas.

Before the event, Kerley had said Bolt’s famous 9.58-second standard would be “destroyed”. Bolt’s first answer was brief, posting “OK” beneath a social media item carrying Kerley’s remarks.

Kerley crossed the line in 9.97 seconds on Sunday night, almost four tenths away from Bolt’s benchmark, leaving the eight-time Olympic gold medallist with another opening to respond.

Bolt later posted an image of himself on a private jet and wrote, “National Treasure #OK”. Dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel added to the exchange in the comments, writing: “You still faster Dan e Jet ?”.

The post quickly drew strong reaction online, with many users reading it as Bolt’s quiet dig at Kerley after the American’s bold prediction failed to materialise.

The 100m race was disrupted by several false-start issues and delays. Athletes were brought out of the blocks more than once because of movement and even untied shoes.

Kerley still took victory in 9.97 seconds at the Enhanced Games, an event that has attracted controversy because it permits athletes to use performance-enhancing substances with medical oversight.

For all the build-up, Kerley’s winning time would have been last in the men’s 100m final at the Paris Olympics, where he earlier ran 9.81 seconds to claim bronze.

Bolt’s 9.58 seconds, achieved at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, remains the quickest 100m performance ever recorded.