Josh Kerr is ready to feel uncomfortable this year, both on the track and in front of the camera, with the world champion of 1,500 million kissing a year of change.
Barely seven weeks ago, the Briton was violently ill and could be heard in a Boston bathroom. That the revealing images, on Kerr's newly launched YouTube channelhas shown a commitment to lift the curtain behind the pursuit of grandeur.
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Kerr and his Brooks Beast team could be scary on the decision to withdraw from Wanamaker Mile and a rare world record attempt.
Now recovered, after having jumped the season in the dining room, including the defense of his world in the indoor title of more than 3,000 m, Kerr embarks on what he describes as “a new era” for sport.
The legendary Olympic champion Michael Johnson launching Grand Chelem track Friday on Three days in Kingston, JamaicaWith Kerr ready not only to do it more than 1,500 m, but also to get out of his comfort zone to fight more than 800m, too, Thank you to the new innovative format of the League.
Silver medalist at last year's Olympic Games, Kerr designed the battle in his notorious rivalry with JAKOB Ingbrigsenwho will not participate in the track of the Grand Slam, but who finally lost the war after Cole stool claimed a surprise gold. The road to the world athletics championships in Tokyo is in the distance, pushed back in September, which should allow space for a more intense race period on the Grand Slam track, not to mention self-promotion opportunities. With Some British athletes have asked to self -finance international appearancesKerr recognizes more than ever the value of the construction of his brand.
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“You have to push the line so that it is interesting to watch,” says Kerr The independent. “So I want to give a new idea of my ideas and provide a little more a raw approach for young athletes, or people interested in sport who want more content to watch or have more context on what it takes to get on the starting line and try to manage world records.
“I will have to push my limits of the way I am comfortable in front of the camera. I want to share this as much as possible so that people know what the process looks like and it can be a little more relatable. ”
Cole Hocker, Kerr, Yared Nuguse and Jakob Engebrtsen to the Line in Paris (Pa Wire)
Kerr, Hocker and Nuguse will all compete on the Grand Slam Track (Getty)
The nature of the social media saw negative comments directed against Kerr, but it was not so surprising for the 27 -year -old Scottish. He insisted that he has undergone a similar treatment since his time studying and running at the University of New Mexico, until this golden moment in Budapest in 2023.
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“When you put yourself more there and push the limits, you will meet big comments and bad comments,” admits Kerr. “I think most of them are trying to be useful. But, you know, you do nothing if you don't have the people who hate you. It doesn't really affect me. I had that throughout my career, people will always be bored to change.”
Since he upset Ingebrigtsen two years ago, Kerr has regularly been trained in a bitter war with his Norwegian rival. But, when he pushed if the rivalry was a distraction, Kerr has no regrets, despite Hocker sneaking in front of the Stade de France in a race for ages.
“I would not change anything because I did nothing of my character,” insists Kerr. “It exploded in this great thing because of you guys, the media, but you have to promote sport and it's great. Some people loved it, some people hated that.
(AFP / Getty)
“ I must be ruthless in my pursuit of excellence '': Kerr at the Olympic Games in Paris (Getty)
“I would have manipulated it in the same way, I will be honest about my competitors because I think it does not do a service when you refuse the questions and lie about your own opinions. So I think we all have a duty in sport to promote it and many of it can come from honesty. ”
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Kerr savor the possibility of running more, moving away from the most controlled races with heart stimulators traditionally seen on the circuit outside the major championships.
With $ 100,000 (£ 77,000) to be won at each of the four games this year, competition will be more fierce than ever. Kerr's main competition will probably come in the form of 1,500 m Olympic Hocker champion, 1,500 m of bronze medalist Yared Nuguse and the unknown quantity of the 800m Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
“I must be ruthless in my pursuit of excellence,” insists Kerr. “As soon as I cross the finish line, I drop my guard a little. It was the same with the Olympic Games. I did not leave with the goal, but being the fastest runner in British history is not a bad little backup.
“I don't think there is the right balance (between races with and without pacers) outside. It is generally four months of time trial. So this is what is good in the field of Grand Slam. This is what motivates me for the moment.
“This is the beginning of a new era for athletics, it's a massive matter. I can't wait to run in Jamaica. There is much more money on the line, which will make it more entertaining for those who look. The issues are so high.”
