Kenny Bednarek's girlfriend Sharmila Nicollet pens a heartfelt note for the athlete on his birthday

Kenny Bednarek's girlfriend Sharmila Nicollet penned a heartfelt note for the athlete on his birthday. The American athlete recently celebrated his 26th birthday after marking an end to a victorious season which included several great performances and an Olympic medal.

Bednarek emerged as one of the top American athletes to compete in the sprint double at the Paris Olympics alongside Noah Lyles. He put forward a tough competition in the men's 200m to finish second behind Letsile Tebogo with a performance of 19.62s. Amid all the success, Kenny Bednarek has been vocal about receiving immense support and encouragement from his girlfriend Sharmila Nicollet.

The American athlete credited his girlfriend, who is a professional golf player, for his outstanding success at events leading up to the Paris Olympics and winning the silver medal at the quadrennial games. As Bednarek celebrated his 26th birthday, Sharmila Nicollet took to Instagram to pen a heartfelt note for him.

"Happy Birthday my love ❤️ You are my rock. Grateful for you. Here’s to more laughter, love, and adventures and memories together! I Love you," she wrote.

Kenny Bednarek on receiving Sharmila Nicollet's support

Kenny Bednarek after defeating Letsile Tebogo at the Wanda Diamond League 2024 Final - Allianz Memorial Van Damme Brussels - Source: Getty

Kenny Bednarek spoke about receiving immense support from his girlfriend Sharmila Nicollet and credited her for his success in recent times in an interview with 'The Running Effect Podcast'. The American athlete revealed how Nicollet, being a professional golf player, understands the struggles an athlete goes through.

“I think the biggest thing for me is just the people that have been around me. If I would say for real, if I didn't meet my girlfriend in 2020, I think that's when COVID started coming up, if I didn't meet her, I think we wouldn't be having this conversation. I don't think I would be who I am today,” he said.

“I mean, she is the biggest reason why I have been so successful, just because she's a professional athlete as well. She's a professional golfer and she knows what it takes because she's been on that level. “And meeting her, it was kind of like, hey, I want to be an Olympian. And then she laughed at my face saying, well, you gotta step it up," he added.

After the Paris Olympics, Bednarek made consecutive appearances at the Diamond League series and concluded his season after defeating 200m Olympic Champion Letsile Tebogo in the Brussels Diamond League Finals.