"Just talking about my journey, my experience" - Kenny Bednarek explains why he would give a TED talk on adoption

American Olympic sprinter Kenny Bednarek recently revealed that if given a chance, he would deliver a Ted Talk on 'adoption'. The runner was adopted by his mother at the age of four, along with his twin brother.

Kenny and his brother Ian were born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and moved to Rice Lake, Wisconsin afterwards. The twins had to move between foster homes during their childhood before being adopted by Mary Bednarek, who took care of them and raised the eighth fastest 200m sprinter in the world.

Bednarek's mother played a pivotal role in helping him overcome the ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and emotional toll of growing up in foster care.

The 25-year-old was recently asked at the Diamond League finals in Brussels about the subject he would choose to deliver a Ted Talk on if given the opportunity. Bednarek chose "adoption" as the topic is close to his heart, noting that he would like to share his journey and inspire the kids.

"I would say adoption because that's something I hold dear to myself," Kenny Bednarek said. "I mean me being adopted, just talking about, you know, my journey, my experience, and how you know kids are in that same area as me. They can pursue their dreams, no matter what. You know it doesn't matter what background you come from, but you know, it's not how you start it; it's how you finish."

Grand Slam Track League shared the video of the same on their Instagram handle with the caption:

"Thanks for coming to our Racer TED Talk. "

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"I wouldn't be here without her" - Kenny Bednarek attributes his track succes to his mother

Kenny Bednarek at the Wanda Diamond League 2024 Final (Image via Getty)

Kenny Bednarek often credits his succes to his family, particularly his mother who also adopted two more children besides him and his brother. During a conversation with Olympics.com in May, he credited his succes to his mother for not letting him give up on his dream.

"We worked through everything," he said. "The heart that my mum had, the perseverance to go through adopting four kids by herself and sticking it through... she's inspired me to be a better person every single day. And she's inspired me to keep living my dream because I wouldn't be here without her."

Bednarek secured a silver medal in 200m event at the Paris Olympics and ended his Olympic campaign in a similar fashion as Tokyo in 2021.