THE rivalry between Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin did not end after the world record holder, in the 100- and 200-metre, beat the American over the distances at the IAAF World Athletics Championships last year.Gatlin still believes he has what it takes to beat the 6′ 5″ sprinting legend at this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The American former Olympic champion believes this, even though Bolt beat him while not fully fit. The issues that kept him off the track over the last two years seem firmly behind the athlete.
“I’m going to win. We are bringing it (gold medal) back to the USA. We are going to bring it back to the USA, to LA to New York,” said Gatlin in an interview with TMZ.
Gatlin is the person most likely to beat Bolt at the moment, the sprinter having gone unbeaten throughout the period Bolt has been absent, only tasting defeat by the smallest of margins in the shorter of the sprints.
“It’s my duty to beat the biggest rival possible to make it one of the most epic races in Olympic history, so I got to stand up to the duty. So I am working very hard around the clock,” said Gatlin.
“Last year was a nail-biter to the finish line at the world championships. He won over me by a hundredth of a second, so I am the closest threat he has ever had. So right now, I am working to be better than that.” (Sportsmax.com)