What about the man behind the shades? Kerr describes himself as a driven individual “who doesn’t really have much of a filter”. He says that can sometimes get him into trouble, but he is simply being himself.
“As a competitor, I just love to win. I love to win more than I hate to lose, so I like to take big swings at things,” says Kerr.
“I’ll go for it every time and I’m at a point in my career where I can go out and try to win every race I’m in. That allows me freedom.”
The men’s 1500m final will be one of the most eagerly anticipated events of Paris 2024 after the showdown at the Worlds ignited a rivalry between Kerr and Ingebrigtsen, whose start to the year has been disrupted by an Achilles issue.
Following that encounter the pair have continued to exchange comments, with Ingebrigtsen describing Kerr as “just the next guy” and the Briton saying the Norwegian has “major weaknesses”.
“The rivalry between myself and Ingebrigtsen is mostly based on our own self-confidence,” says Kerr.
“I believe I am the best 1500m runner in the world. He probably believes he is too. It’s a fun balance between two personalities which probably clash a bit.
“I’m all for it and I won’t shy away from some competition, so I’m excited for what’s to come.”
There are interim goals that Kerr is keen to chase before 6 August.
In the arena he grew up competing in, Kerr will race over 3,000m at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena on Saturday night as he aims to display the world-beating ability he has since honed in the US.
In the absence of expected Paris rivals Ingebrigtsen and Wightman, he wants to further assert himself as the athlete to beat in this Olympic year.
“I haven’t run in front of Scottish fans for a very long time and I don’t think I’ve done myself justice in front of the British crowd in a long time as well,” says Kerr, who was 12th in the Commonwealth Games final in Birmingham two years ago.
“It feels like we are coming full circle from 2017, when I was knocked out in the first round [at the World Championships in London].
“I am ready to show off that new-found fitness in front of the British fans and hopefully inspire the next generation a little bit.
“I’m going in with a plan and I believe, if I execute, I will come away with a gold medal.”
