'Indian athletes can achieve great things': Olympic Medallist Kenny Bednarek opines at Kolkata 25K

Olympic silver medallist and American sprint star Kenny Bednarek, the International Event Ambassador for the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, expressed his excitement at being part of India's premier distance running event, stating that global races like this play a crucial role in inspiring people to adopt fitness as a way of life.

Speaking about what it takes to perform at the elite level, Bednarek underlined the importance of mindset over everything else.

"You can be physically prepared and extremely talented, but if you're not mentally strong on race day, it doesn't matter. Sprinting is nearly 90 per cent mental discipline, responsibility, belief and recovery are key to performing consistently at the top level," he said.

Reflecting on his own

journey, Bednarek spoke about continuous improvement and learning.

"I'm always learning and pushing myself to get better every year. Even when I win, I ask myself and my team what more can be improved. There's no such thing as perfection only progress," he shared while interacting with the students of GD Birla Centre for education.

Kenny Bednarek is one of the world's leading sprinters, a double Olympic silver medallist in the men's 200m at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and a World Championships silver medallist. A consistent Diamond League performer, he holds a personal best of 19.49 seconds and remains at the forefront of American sprinting on the global stage.

On the resurgence of American sprinting, Bednarek said the future looks exciting

"American sprinting has always been strong. Usain Bolt was in a category of his own, but right now the USA is looking very good. With major championships ahead and the Olympics at home, the next few years are going to be extremely important for us," he noted.

"India has a lot of talent. With the right coaching, training structure and recovery systems, athletes here can achieve great things on the global stage," he said, encouraging young students to stay committed to their goals.

Sharing his views on long-term engagement with Indian sport, Bednarek added, "I'm always open to contributing in meaningful ways whether it's through interaction, mentorship, or sharing experiences. Sport has the power to change lives, and if my presence here helps support that journey in India, I'd be proud to be part of it. "

On India's growing sporting culture, the Olympic medallist noted, "India's passion for sport is unmistakable. Whether it's athletics, football, cricket, or distance running, there is a genuine love for competition and community. Events like this show how sport can unite people across age, background, and ability. "

Asked about the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, Bednarek said, "This is not just a race, it's a celebration. To see tens of thousands of runners, from elite athletes, amateur runners to the first-timers, sharing the same road is inspiring. I'm really looking forward to experiencing race day up close and cheering the runners on Sunday. "