U.S. Olympic sprinter arrested for reportedly striking ex-girlfriend

2024 bronze medalist Fred Kerley was arrested on Thursday, just days before he was scheduled to compete at a track meet, for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Alaysha Johnson. The incident took place at a south Florida hotel during a conditioning appointment for the upcoming meet, where Johnson claimed that Kerley hit her. According to reports, Kerley threatened to harm everyone present before allegedly striking Johnson in the face, causing her nose to bleed.

Kerley, who was set to participate in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter events at the Grand Slam Track meet over the weekend, was subsequently removed from the competition following the incident. The New York Post reported that he was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor offense related to the assault.

This is not the first time Kerley has been involved in a domestic violence incident. In a separate incident from last year, he was charged with a domestic violence offense after getting into a physical altercation with his wife. The altercation reportedly occurred after his wife was in contact with an unknown person on Instagram, leading to a heated argument that turned violent.

Despite his legal troubles, Kerley has had a successful career in track and field, winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in the 100 meters. He also claimed gold at the 2022 world championships and silver at the Tokyo Olympics in the same event. Additionally, he has won world championships in the 4×400-meter relay in 2019 and the 4×100-meter relay in 2023.

Kerley’s recent arrest has raised concerns about his future in the sport, as well as his behavior off the track. The United States Track and Field Association has been criticized for their handling of the situation, particularly in relation to their decision to add Kerley’s teammate, Noah Lyles, to the 4×400-meter team at the 2024 world championships.

As the story continues to develop, fans and fellow athletes are left wondering about the implications of Kerley’s actions and how they will impact his career moving forward. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism and respect both on and off the field.