Fans around the globe had circled the Prefontaine Classic on their calendars, anticipating a blockbuster rematch between Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo and American sprint star Kenny Bednarek.
But in a last-minute twist, Bednarek has withdrawn from the race, citing physical concerns.
“I’ve decided to withdraw from tomorrow’s race,” Bednarek announced in a statement on Friday.
“Dealing with some tightness today, and after talking it through with my team, we agreed it was best not to take any risks. These decisions are never easy. I was really looking forward to competing this weekend, but with Nationals less than a month away, staying healthy is the priority.”
The announcement, coming less than 24 hours before the gun, casts a shadow over what was expected to be one of the defining matchups of the 2025 athletics season. The withdrawal not only disappoints eager fans but also reshapes the dynamic of the men’s 200m lineup at Eugene’s iconic track.
Bednarek, a fan favorite with a history of strong performances at Hayward Field, was seen as a serious threat to Tebogo’s current reign. Their last head-to-head in Brussels during the 2024 Diamond League Final ended with Bednarek claiming victory in 19.67 seconds, earning his second Diamond Trophy and silencing critics who had begun to tip the rising Botswanan phenom as the next king of the curve.
This time around, it was Tebogo who entered the race with the momentum, fresh off a stunning Olympic gold medal run in Paris where he clocked a blistering 19.46. The matchup with Bednarek promised to be a statement race, one that could have shaped the narrative heading into the final stretch of the season.
With the U.S. Nationals approaching and a World Championships berth on the line, the American is prioritizing health over headlines.
Still, the clash between these two titans of the 200m feels more inevitable than lost. With both athletes at the top of their game and the season still unfolding, the world may not have seen the last of this rivalry.
But for now, the Prefontaine Classic will move forward missing one half of what was set to be a historic duel.
