Bolt welcomes Gatlin challenge
WORLD 100 and 200 metres record holder Usain Bolt says he is not opposed to racing America’s former World and Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin when the drug cheat ends his four-year ban in July.
“Yeah, definitely, I’ve (always) said that as long as you’re at the line with me, you’re my competitor, so I’m going to take you very seriously like Dwain Chambers last year,” Bolt told the Sunday Observer.
The 23-year-old sprinter who won three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and last year’s World Championships in Berlin, was reacting to the challenge of Gatlin. “So for me, as long as you’re at the line I’m willing to race,” Bolt added.
Gatlin, who becomes eligible to return to competitive track and field on July 25 after serving his four-year drug ban, said he is targeting Bolt, Gay and Asafa Powell.
“I could beat them before. I don’t see why I can’t run with them now,” Gatlin told Reuters after a training session in Naples, Florida. “Times don’t scare me,” Gatlin added.
However, Bolt, who walked away with the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association’s (JAAA’s) male athlete of the year award for the second consecutive time last Friday, is warning Gatlin that he will find things different on his return.
“Well, I think he may find it a little bit different from the last time he actually was here because I think the game has really stepped up a lot and there’s a lot of up coming guys who he may count out, but these guys are going to step up a lot,” Bolt reasoned.
“So I think he’s going to have his hands full, not only by me and Asafa and Tyson, but other young and upcoming athletes, but it should be good and more competition is better for the sport, so I’m looking forward to it,” he added, noting that his own training is progressing well.
“Training has been the same as last year. I’ve had some ups and downs because of the whole thing of not being in training a lot, but I’m trying to catch up now like last year and I think I’m doing a pretty good job, working hard, trying to do a little overtime…so I’m getting there,” Bolt said.
