Justin Gatlin insisted his pariah status was undeserved as the least popular world 100 metres champion in history still refused to see his triumph over Usain Bolt as a setback for the sport
Justin Gatlin celebrates his men's 100m final win on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images
Justin Gatlin insisted his pariah status was undeserved as the least popular world 100 metres champion in history still refused to see his triumph over Usain Bolt as a setback for the sport.
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Gatlin's victory on Saturday night in 9.92 seconds was greeted by a cacophony of boos, as his every appearance at the London Stadium has been. There is no hiding from the embarrassment that the unrepentant American's victory will cause to a sport still struggling to regain credibility in the wake of repeated doping scandals.
Asked about his "bad boy" reputation, Gatlin said: "What do I do that makes me a bad boy? Do I talk bad about anybody? Do I give bad gestures? I don't. I shake every athlete's hand. I congratulate them, I tell them good luck. That doesn't sound like a bad boy to me. It seems like the media want to sensationalise it and make me a bad boy because Usain is the hero. That's fine, I know you've got to have a black hat and a white hat, but guys, come on. I keep it classy and I never talk bad. I try to inspire other athletes."
Remorse has not been forthcoming — and still, at least publicly, is not. Asked if he could understand why his victory was seen as a disaster for the sport, he said: "I really don't need to understand. I can understand the rivalry that I have with Usain, but it's not a bitter rivalry. I respect the man and every time we come across the line I've shaken his hand."
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