13-08-2025
Team USA sprinter Fred Kerley is suspended under anti-doping rules in latest shameful moment for Olympian
US sprinter and Olympic silver medalist Fred Kerley has been suspended for a violation of anti-doping procedures, the Athletics Integrity Unit announced Tuesday.
The provisional suspension cites Kerley's 'whereabouts failures' without going into further details. Typically, whereabouts failures result from an athlete neglecting to meeting testing obligations, which can include a range of procedural issues from failing to provide up-to-date location information to missed tests.
Kerley, 30, indicated that the alleged violations relate to missed tests – an accusation he rejects, according to a statement from his attorneys at the Law Offices of Howard L. Jacobs.
'Fred Kerley has already notified the AIU that he intends to contest the allegation that he has violated the anti-doping rules related to whereabouts failures,' the statement begins.
Kerley's representatives say the two-time Olympic medalist 'strongly believes that one of [or] more of his alleged missed tests should be set aside either because he was not negligent or because the Doping Control Officer did not do what was reasonable under the circumstances to locate him at his designated location.'
The statement concluded by explaining Kerley will 'not comment further at this time out of respect for the process,' adding that he 'looks forward to presenting his case to the appointed hearing panel.
'You can try to break me in the storm, but all you´re doing is giving me a better story at the finish line,' Kerley later posted on X.
However, Kerley has since released his own statement on Instagram insisting he does not use performance-enhancing drugs and the allegations against him relate to missed tests.
'Let's discuss the facts: I have never used performance enhancing drugs,' he wrote online. 'My provisional suspension is over "whereabouts" allegations, which means missed testing appointments, not a failed drug test.
'We're challenging these claims, as at least one alleged missed test should not count,' he continued. 'I will fight for my name and my legacy. I've faced storms before and come out stronger. This will be no different!'
Kerley's provisional suspension is temporary and a final decision will be made at a future hearing.
A San Antonio native, Kerley won silver in the 100 meters at the 2020 Olympics and bronze in the same event last summer in Paris. He was also a member of Team USA's 4X100 relay team that won gold at the 2022 World Championships.
Kerley announced his conversion to Islam in July: 'They tried to break me, Allah rebuilt me'
But Kerley's success on the track has been followed by a tumultuous 2025 that included an arrest on a battery charge in May for allegedly striking hurdler Alaysha Johnson with a closed fist. Johnson was left with a bloody nose, according to a Fort Lauderdale police report.
At the time, Kerley's attorney Richard Cooper told reporting media that his client has a 'target on his back,' which he blamed on jealous competitors.
'We ask the public not to rush to judgment as the exculpatory facts eventually come to light,' Cooper said. 'Fred looks forward to getting back to competing and away from distractions as his legal team works to resolve these accusations.'
Months earlier, Kerley was accused of punching a Miami Beach police officer before being tasered, and in 2024, his wife accused him of domestic battery, according to court records.
Kerley's attorneys have insisted he is also innocent of those charges.
This summer has been particularly eventful for Kerley, who announced last month he planned on skipping the 2025 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships because he was 'taking some time out to get back on track.'
He also announced his conversion to Islam.
