He was going to use that in the right way."Gatlin was booed at almost every turn this week in London - during introductions, at any time when his face showed up on the big screen, and never louder than when his name popped up on the top of the scoreboard as the winner in Bolts farewell 100-meter race at the worlds. Didnt get boos in 13, 14 or 15. He was Olympic champion in 2004, four years before Bolts reign, and world champion in 2017, with Bolt on the way out."Im going to take it year by year and race by race," Gatlin said. "Usain said, Congratulations, you deserve it."Bolt paid respect, too, and said the stereotypical casting of Gatlin as a villain has grown stale."I felt a hurt for him," his manager Renaldo Nehemiah said.
This is your world. And thats from the man himself. "Ill see where it takes me. Its one lane, make the best of it. No boos in 11, no boos in 12, and 12 was here (for the London Olympics)."I said, At the end of the day, Justin, no one can control what you do on the track.By now, Gatlin is used to it.It doesnt faze Gatlin anymore. I know if I dont show up, hes always gonna win.OK, so Gatlin may have ruined Usain Bolts going-away party with his surprise win in the 100 meters at the world championships on Saturday night. With his doping past - his suspension ended in 2010 - the American has long been portrayed as the bad guy set against Bolts charismatic, fun-loving personality. He knows how hard I work. Then again, I also know Justin.92 seconds, wasnt all that electric. Gatlin could be seen pointing toward the stands and chastising a fan.01 seconds."
Just to be able to come back, regardless of boos, I still heard cheers. He insisted he doesnt care what anyone thinks and said all the boos were just background noise to him. Gatlin even borrowed some of Bolts tactics, too, surging from behind with a fantastic finishing kick to overtake Bolt and Christian Coleman, a fellow University of Tennessee product and new silver medalist. Given the stakes for Bolt in London, this competition figured to be a race for second. I didnt get booed throughout 2010.Gatlin made a tactical mistake in Beijing, going into his lean too early as Bolt won by 0.Turns out, there was more left in the tank for Gatlin, who says he has no immediate plans to retire and could be around for the China wedge bolt 2020 Tokyo Games. But this was all about the win. "I guess because Ive become more of a rival for Usain, thats where the booing comes from."They came from his support staff, his family, his friends."Hes done his time and worked to be one of the best athletes," Bolt said. Gatlin still did his best to soften the blow by bowing down to third-place finisher Bolt on his way off the track - a way of telling the people he knows what the Jamaican great has done for his sport. It was noticeable, obviously."
But about those friends - it sure is hard to be close to him and not be bothered by the hecklers."Two years ago at worlds, it almost happened. Hurtful as the loss was, an episode the next day during the medals ceremony was worse."I have nothing but respect for him," said Gatlin, who, at 35, is five years Bolts senior. "I didnt say anything to him, but I hurt for him.Gatlin finished runner-up to Bolt at last years Olympics. "Hes one of the best competitors Ive ever competed with."I stayed focused on what I had to do," Gatlin said."And so he did. Gatlins time, 9. "Even with me being older than him, hes such an inspiration for me."Thats all I cared about," he said. Turns out, that fan was heckling his mother."Its just so surreal right now," Gatlin said.London: Years from now, Justin Gatlin will remember the bow more than the chorus of boos.