Justin Gatlin set to return
After four long years in the wilderness, American athlete Justin Gatlin is set to make a comeback in competitive athletics after his career was cut short due to a doping ban.
His ordeal is set to end, and now he aims to resurrect what was once a hugely promising career that went into limbo by a four-year doping ban.
"It will almost be a half decade," quipped the former world and Olympic 100 meters champion who last ran in a competition way back in 2006.
Despite his plagued career, the determined athlete claims that quitting was never on the agenda.
The 28-year-old American is confident that he will give the track a major shake when he returns for competition in the coming few days.
"It is in my heart," Gatlin told media, adding that "This is what I do. I feel I owe it to my fans and friends to show them I can still do it."
His career was jeopardized when in 2006, he tested positive for the male s*x hormone testosterone and its precursors at a 2006 Kansas relay meeting.
As a consequence, he was slapped with a four-year ban that temporarily derailed what was once an immensely promising career.
"Denial, anger, sadness, a little bit of depression, and embarrassment set in," added the athlete, Gatlin also claimed that he did not take the drugs deliberately "Now I am coming to a point where I am more calm, more mellow."
He is more stable now and the turmoil in the last four years has helped him toughen up as an individual and value everything that life has to offer him.
"I just want to be able to go out there and run like any other person," the 2004 Olympic 100 meters champion said. "I sat out for four years, four long years, and I'm trying to come back to the track and world society."
Some of the experts of the sport feel that the American will make a real impact at the international level upon his return as he seems to be more confident and capable than before.
On the other hand, some critics feel that the athlete would need some time before he shrugs of the rustiness that has accumulated in recent years.
Gatlin is expected to make his return in a small event in the European state of Estonia on 3rd of August.
There are certain obstacles that he needs to overcome before he takes part in some of the continent's top events.
Lately, athletes like Britain's Dwain Chambers are not encouraged to race in many events as the organizers feel it tarnishes the image of the sport.
Gatlin’s best time in the 100 meters is 9.85 seconds, and the American hopes that he would eventually challenge countryman Tyson g*y (9.69) and Jamaican former record holder Asafa Powell (9.72).
"I think I have enough time from this point on, going into next year to gain the consistent speed that I need to go out there and medal," vowed Gatlin as he prepared to flex his muscles with the best in the business after a long hiatus.
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