Justin Gatlin returns from four year ban with impressive win
Twenty eight year old American athelete (sprinter), Justin Gatlin has been in prominence not only for his athletic endeavors but also regarding a doping ban which entangled him in the midst of controversy.
Displaying an ardent passion and aptitude for athletics ever since his university days, Gatlin was recruited by coaches Vince Anderson and Bill Web; two years training allowed him to claim a magnanimous number of six consecutive NCAA titles. Two years later, the summer of 2004 turned out to be the most fruitful of his career: Justin Gatlin beat defending champion Maurice Greene and close competitor Francis Obikwelu to achieve a shiny gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the arena of hundred meters. He also attained a bronze medal at the two hundred meters race, as well as a silver medal as a member of the four hundred meters relay racing team.
The 2005 World Athletics Championships were another occasion at which Justin Gatlin demonstrated his worth to the world; he captured another gold medal at the field of the hundred meters sprint. A completion time of 9.85 seconds at the 2004 Summer Olympics establishes him as the athlete with the third fastest time at the hundred meter dash in the history of Olympics, a feat that is definitely worth applauding. Furthermore, his personal best at the two hundred meters is 19.86 seconds, which remains to this day the fastest ever mark set by an under 20 athlete.
The year 2006 remained grim for Justin Gatlin’s athletic career, as he was charged with an eight year ban from track and field, owing to being tested positive for the s*x hormone testosterone as well as its precursors. This acceptance allowed him to escape a lifetime ban in exchange for abiding with the doping agencies.
However, the final ruling that arrived in December 2007 altered the duration from eight years to four years, and this August, Gatlin returned from the ban in full form. The KuldLiiga meeting in Ravere, which lies in north East Estonia allowed this athlete to stage a comeback on the way to his pursuit of the 2012 London Olympics. Although the athlete was eligible to compete July onwards, it was expected that he will face difficulty in being able to participate in races owing to the fact that Euro meetings are recommended not to invite athletes who stir dispute.
Nevertheless, the organizers of this meeting, who are not members of the Euro meetings, hailed the arrival and participation of this American sprinter. It eventually turned out to be the right decision, as Justin Gatlin emerged successful at the arena, achieving his hundred meter feat in 10.34 seconds.
Although this event was not very prolific and did not count as a major athletic encounter, it nonetheless is a start for Gatlin who remained in athletic hibernation for such a huge period of time. While his main target remains the London Olympics in 2012, this victory will definitely provide him with much needed motivation and encouragement as he moves ahead.
Whether or not Justin Gatlin is able to repeat the athletic charm and perfection that he displayed in the Olympics of 2004 is something time will tell, but it can be said that the athlete is definitely off to an impressive start.
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