5. Bednarek's Olympic journey starts on August 3Fans won't have to wait long to see Bednarek race, as his first event -- the men's 100m -- will start on August 3.

By Alaina Tomesh July 30, 2024

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Rice Lake native Kenny Bednarek will make his second appearance at the Olympic games on Sunday in the men’s 100 meter semifinal.

Here in the states, Rice Lake is filled with signs cheering Kenny on.

Everywhere you go, businesses, houses and schools are all cheering ‘Kung Fu Kenny’ on from afar, maybe even more than in 2021.

Rice Lake Athletic Booster Club’s Nellie Scheurer thinks that there’s more support this year now that COVID is over.

“Kenny has pointed out before, you know, it was during COVID, a couple years ago, and so it was just a different atmosphere,” said Scheurer, “so we’re really excited to bring the whole community together this time and cheer him on for the gold.”

After winning the silver in the men’s 200 meter race in Tokyo in 2021, he’s back again for two events in Paris: the men’s 100 meter and the men’s 200 meter races.

But Kenny doesn’t forget about his roots, a recent social media post by Bednarek praises the community support and how he’s proud to be from Rice Lake.

“Kenny himself has really put Rice Lake on a national stage, and we’re just really proud of him and he’s obviously really proud to be from here so we want to draw attention to that,” said Scheurer.

Kenny’s high school track coach Matt Tebo says he is beyond proud to see Kenny qualify for another Olympic games.

“Just to have the opportunity to see him on the biggest stage against the best, and having the opportunity to see him compete in something that he’s worked really hard on over the years,” said Tebo, “and I think from high school to now, he’s gone through so many journeys and so much transformation, and put so much work in, it’s going to be amazing to see what he can do.”

“Kenny’s going to let his feet do the talking, and we can tell people how great he is because he’ll be on the podium,” said Scheurer.

The Rice Lake High School is hosting a watch party for Kenny on Sunday, where everyone is invited to cheer him on with other Team Bednarek fans.