Justin Gatlin may have sensationally regained the world 100 metres title denying superstar Usain Bolt a golden farewell but like the crowd in the London Stadium the British press slammed the fact the former drugs cheat had gatecrashed the party
Gold medallist US athlete Justin Gatlin poses on the podium during the victory ceremony for the men's 100m athletics event at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 6, 2017. Pic/AFP
Justin Gatlin may have sensationally regained the world 100 metres title denying superstar Usain Bolt a golden farewell but like the crowd in the London Stadium the British press slammed the fact the former drugs cheat had gatecrashed the party.
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Gatlin, 35, — the Olympic 100m champion in 2004 and world champion in 2005 (also winning the 200m world crown to achieve the double) — showed great character to shut out the jeering to storm home and beat young compatriot Christian Coleman and Bolt, who for once was unable to find the gas to make up for a woeful start.
Some saw it as the ultimate redemption for Gatlin to have prevailed after serving a four year ban — reduced from eight — from 2006-2010 having also been barred during his college days though his medication was for his Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
However, for the merciless British media it was no such thing. "Take GAT — Usain Bolt sunk as drugs cheat Justin Gatlin ruins his golden goodbye," headlined The Sun. Never one to mince their words the newspaper described how Bolt received the adulation of the crowd whilst Gatlin — who had brought a finger to his mouth after being named the winner to hush the crowd — slunk off. Gatlin disappeared from view after a brief run down the home straight, but when he returned for interviews he was greeted with chants of "cheat, cheat, cheat" while he was live on air. The Mail yesterday took a similarly dim view of Gatlin ruining the 30-year-old Jamaican's bid for a 12th world gold. "A terrible silence met the end of the men's 100m final here.".
"Not only was Usain Bolt, the great hero of the sport, denied victory in his final individual race, but it was won by two-time drugs cheat Justin Gatlin. Athletics' worst nightmare had just unfolded in front of a watching world."
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