Fred Kerley, the former 100m world champion, has spoken out about his recent arrest, describing it as a misunderstanding. The 29-year-old athlete, who won bronze in the 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, was arrested last Thursday in Miami following an alleged altercation with his former girlfriend and fellow athlete, Alaysha Johnson.

Kerley acknowledged that a physical altercation occurred but denied that it was the reason for his arrest. In a statement posted on his social media accounts, Kerley wrote, "While there was a physical altercation, my arrest was not due to any criminal act. I chose not to speak to law enforcement without my attorney, and for that reason alone, I was booked."

The alleged incident took place at a hotel in Dania Beach, just before Kerley was scheduled to compete in the second Grand Slam Track meeting in Miami. According to reports from Reuters and CBS, Kerley was charged with one count of "battery-touch or strike" as per the arrest report from the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

Kerley appeared in court on Friday and posted a $1,000 bond before being released. He has vowed to clear his name and cooperate with the appropriate parties to resolve the issue. "I take full accountability for placing myself in a situation that allowed for this misunderstanding, and I am taking active steps to ensure nothing like this happens again," Kerley stated.

This incident has cast a shadow over Kerley's illustrious career, which includes two Olympic medals and a world championship title. As the athletics community watches closely, Kerley remains focused on proving his innocence and continuing his journey in the sport.

Related Topics:

• Athletics
• Olympic Medallists
• Legal Issues in Sports