Justin Gatlin

Justin Gatlin Rio 100m final 2016b-cr

Justin Gatlin 2009

Justin Gatlin Istanbul 2012

Justin Gatlin (born February 10, 1982) is an American sprinter who specializes in the 100 and 200 meters events. Gatlin is a five-time Olympic medalist and a twelve-time World Championship medalist. He is considered one of the fastest men in history, having won numerous medals in major international competitions.

Early Life and Education

Justin Gatlin was born in Brooklyn, New York, and moved to Pensacola, Florida, where he attended Woodham High School. His athletic talent was evident early on, excelling in both track and field and football. Gatlin chose to focus on track and field and attended the University of Tennessee, where he was a two-time NCAA champion.

Career

Gatlin's professional career began with a bang when he won the gold medal in the 100 meters at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, establishing himself as one of the top sprinters in the world. He followed up with further success, including gold medals in the 100 meters and 200 meters at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki.

However, Gatlin's career has been marred by controversy due to doping allegations. In 2006, he was handed a four-year ban from track and field for testing positive for a banned substance, which he appealed, claiming he had never knowingly taken performance-enhancing drugs. Gatlin returned to competition in 2010, and despite the setback, he continued to achieve success on the track.

Gatlin won silver in the 100 meters at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and a bronze in the same event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He also won gold in the 100 meters at the 2017 World Championships, defeating Usain Bolt in Bolt's final individual 100 meters race.

Controversies

Gatlin's career has been significantly affected by his doping controversies. His first ban in 2001 was for amphetamines, a substance he had been taking for attention deficit disorder since his childhood, which resulted in an early reinstatement. The more severe suspension in 2006 put a halt to his career at its peak. Gatlin has consistently maintained his innocence regarding intentional doping, attributing positive tests to sabotage or medication contamination.

Legacy

Despite the controversies, Gatlin's achievements on the track are undeniable. He is one of the few athletes to have won Olympic medals in three different decades, showcasing his longevity and dedication to the sport. Gatlin's rivalry with Usain Bolt brought significant attention to athletics, with their races being some of the most anticipated events in the sport's recent history.

Personal Life

Gatlin is known for his work ethic and dedication to his sport. Outside of track and field, he is involved in various charitable activities and youth sports programs, aiming to inspire the next generation of athletes.

See Also

• Sprinting
• Olympic Games
• World Championships in Athletics
• Doping in sport