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Jamaican track legend Usain Bolt recalls fond memories with his biggest rival from America in a chat with Mikel Obi.
Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt during a chat with Mikel Obi opened up about his storied rivalry with American sprinter Justin Gatlin.
Pulse Sports Nigeria can report that Bolt credited his competitor for keeping him motivated during the twilight of his career.
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19:49 - 16.07.2024
Justin Gatlin & Asafa Powell reflect on when they both held the 100m world record at the same time
Gatlin and Powell have reflected back on their rivalry as sprinters, including the time they both held the world record in the 100 metres back in the mid 2000s.
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Usain Bolts speaks to Mikel Obi about Gatlin
The Jamaican sprint king whose record is under threat from a compatriot made these revelations during an appearance on former Nigerian football star Mikel Obi's "Obione" podcast.
Bolt, widely regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time, spoke fondly of his battles with Gatlin, particularly in the final years of his illustrious career.
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"I think Justin Gatlin, I have to give my hats off to him," Bolt said. "The last five, six years of my career, it was me and him every season. He kept me on my toes throughout, and I loved the competition."
The athletics legend shared a particularly poignant anecdote about a time when he was struggling with motivation.
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Having won everything there was to win, Bolt, currently recovering from surgery, found himself grappling with the increasing physical demands of training as he aged.
It was during this period that a video of Gatlin confidently predicting victory over Bolt reinvigorated the Jamaican's competitive spirit.
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"I remember I'm just on Instagram scrolling, and someone sent me a video," Bolt recalled. "He [Gatlin] was like, 'Justin, I'm gonna win, don't worry, and I'm going to wear the gold medal around my neck.' And I'm like, 'What?' Alright, let's go then."
This moment, Bolt said, "refuelled" him and pushed him to step up his game.
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Bolt also highlighted Gatlin's consistency and reliability in championship events, quoting his coach:
"Listen, Gatlin is going to show up. He is that guy in a Championship; no matter what is going on, he is going to show up."
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This candid discussion offers fans a rare glimpse into the mindset of one of sports' greatest competitors and sheds light on the often-overlooked role that rivals play in pushing athletes to new heights.
It also serves as a testament to the mutual respect between Bolt and Gatlin, two giants of modern athletics.
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Bolt’s retrospection reminds us of the intense competition and dedication that defined an era of sprinting, captivating audiences worldwide.
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