<img title="Justin Gatlin celebrates his men's 100m final win on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/aug/Gatlin-win.jpg" alt="Justin Gatlin celebrates his men's 100m final win on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images" /> 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.
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 &mdash; 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."

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

What do I do that makes me a bad boy, asks sprinter Justin Gatlin

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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

What do I do that makes me a bad boy, asks sprinter Justin Gatlin

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What do I do that makes me a bad boy, asks sprinter Justin Gatlin

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