In one of the more calamitous days in U.S. sprinting, Fred Kerley began the day sponsored by ASICS, forgot his shoes at the airport, picked up a new pair of Puma spikes, had two curious starts during a scheduled 100 meter final in New York City -- it was declared an official DNS -- and then reportedly parted ways with his sponsor mutually. 

All in the same day. 

Kerley, the 29-year-old Texan and reigning 100 meter Olympic silver medalist and 2022 World champion, had planned on competing in a scheduled 100 meter race at the NYC Grand Prix on Sunday at Icahn Stadium.

While preparing to get in his blocks, he was noticeably wearing orange Puma spikes. 

In a first instance, Kerley slipped out of his blocks before the 100m start. Then, after a re-setting of the line, it happened again, though this time it looked like Kerley did false start. He later contended that view was false.

Kerley expained the situation with reporters.

"As a veteran, they was just taking too long," Kerley said of his situation on the starting line to a Runner's World reporter. "I was asking them a question for some new blocks. One of my pads was broken. I slipped the first time and then I slipped the second time. It was not about to happen a third time.

"I was not DQ'ed." 

He commented on the situation: 

"First of all, them blocks look like elementary blocks," he said. "We at a professional meet. So you should have professional blocks with professional sensors on them." 

Kerley said he decided to step off the track before the 100m start out of caution and to prevent injury. 

"I had to make that because I'm getting cold, so if you get cold, you know what happens when you get cold."

Later, Kerley also clarified that he was only wearing Puma spikes because he had forgotten his ASICS shoes in the airport.

"I ain't switched it up," he said. "I left my bag at the airport." 

Not long after, a podcaster from New York reported that Kerley and ASICS mutually parted ways.

This all comes after a year of change for Kerley. In September, he announced a coaching change and a move to Los Angeles to work under Quincy Watts.

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