Justin Gatlin has become increasingly irritated at being labelled a dope cheat, contrasting with Usain Bolt’s superhero image in the sprinting world, but he can set that aside by spoiling the latter’s farewell at the World Athletics Championships. The 35-year-old American — who in 2016 became the oldest man to win a 100m Olympic medal when he took silver behind Bolt — will get one last go at the Jamaican legend when the world championships get under way in London on Friday. It will be asking a lot of Gatlin — who served a four-year ban, reduced from eight, for doping from 2006 to 2010 — to achieve that, having beaten Bolt only once in nine meetings over the shorter sprint distance, and that was four years ago in Rome. There exists a mutual respect between the two rivals to the extent the Jamaican was horrified by the booing and jeering of the American prior to the 100m final in Rio and then again at the medal ceremony. "I personally think he’s a great athlete," said Bolt after the R...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.