'I've Come Too Far To Be Knocked Down'

Published by Al Jazeera on December 22, 2014

On a bright December afternoon in Orlando, Justin Gatlin dreams of still being seen as a track and field icon.

A decade ago, he blitzed to 100m glory in the heart of the now near-derelict Olympic Park in Athens. But after failing a drugs test two years later, Gatlin became an outcast. Now, he appears destined to remain a nagging reminder of the sport’s dark side, a chronic battle against a culture of cheating which it shows no sign of winning.

Underneath Gatlin’s customary bravado lies a stark truth.

“I want people to be able to say, ‘this guy has true fire, he’s a true warrior, he’s been through adversity in life but he’s also fought it out with the best of them from Maurice Greene to Usain Bolt’,” Gatlin told Al Jazeera.

Having compiled six of the fastest 100m times during an unbeaten 2014 season, Gatlin was nominated for the IAAF Athlete of the Year award.

Few celebrated, a lot more raised eyebrows. Shortly afterwards, the IAAF left him off the final shortlist. Gatlin insisted he gave little thought to the hostility.

“For people to get mad about a popularity contest is just silly. And it was hurdlers and discus throwers. If a 100m or 200m guy was to speak out against me, that would’ve been different. I’ve come too far. I’m not going to sit out four years, then come back and be knocked down by a few words or a few opinions.”