After Four-Year Doping Ban, Sprinter Justin Gatlin Roars Back with Estonia Win
It was a fairytale comeback for American sprinter Justin Gatlin, as he quashed aside bitter memories of the last four years to record an impressive win in his first race after a four-year doping ban.
The 28-year-old looked a little rusty in the event staged in Estonia, but overcame the lag to record a morale boosting win.
He recorded a time of 10.24 seconds in the 100 meters event, to rekindle memories of his win in the 2004 Olympics staged in Greece (where he won gold by clocking an amazing 9.85 seconds).
The Bigbank Kuldliiga meet was organized in Rakvere, Estonia, and the sprinter called it his first step towards the 2010 London Olympics.
Gatlin registered the best time in the history of the event, as he completed his run at 10.34 seconds, yet his efforts were well short of his personal best of 9.85 seconds.
However, there was tough competition for the American, as he edged out the second placed runner, his compatriot J-Mee Samuels, who finished in 10.31, just 0.7 seconds behind Gatlin.
The last time the American ran in a competitive race was in June 2006; since then, he faced the ignominy of the ban after testing positive for the male s*x hormone testosterone.
Gatlin overcame many problems during the last few years, besides the difficulty of finding races even after the ban ended.
Generally, the Euro Meetings recommend organizers not to invite athletes who have had a tarnished record, for what ever reason, especially doping offences.
After the meet was over, Gatlin told reporters that he was elated to return to the racing tracks. "I came off the blocks and stumbled a little bit and my first 20 (meters) was not on point like it was in the prelims, but I think I kept my composure towards the end of the race and I finished well," commented Gatlin.
He added that his performance has given him a lot of confidence. "I got a lot of the butterflies out and I am ready to go and run and compete."
Despite his four year hiatus, Gatlin showed glimpses of his ability and special talent that made him one of the greatest prospects in athletics at the time.
After his dismissal, Usain Bolt from Jamaica emerged, smashing the 100 and 200 meter world records, and is now hailed as the champion athlete of this generation.
Gatlin hopes that he would give him stiff competition in the years to come, and hopes that the start in Estonia will go a long way in helping him regain his touch.
"I think this a good comeback, to get my feet wet, and I hope going into the next races will be bigger and better."
Gatlin claimed that his coach Loren Seagrave was happy with his performance. "I think that after I crossed the finish line, I saw my coach; he gave me thumbs up and his smile."
Coach Seagrave was generally pleased with Gatlin’s performance, but said that the sprinter needed to polish his speed. "The first 20 meters weren't characteristic Justin. I think he still has a lot more left. The only thing he needs now is opportunities to compete."
With Gatlin’s return, the International Athletics Federation would be hoping to rope in some of the leading names in the world of athletics in a few meets before the 2010 Olympics, in order to increase the profile of the sport and add more star value to the events.
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