Justin Gatlin has explained how he was forced to go the extra mile in training just to finally dethrone Usain Bolt.
After years of striving to dethrone Usain Bolt, Justin Gatlin finally succeeded in London in 2017, marking a significant moment in his career after returning to the sport in 2010.
Gatlin's triumph over Bolt was not just a personal victory but also a step towards redeeming his reputation after serving a four-year ban for doping in 2006.
Despite winning numerous medals and accolades upon his return to elite competition, Gatlin mostly settled for silver medals, only dominating in events where Bolt was unavailable. Bolt dominated the sprinting world in major championships from 2008 to 2016.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports.
)
18:21 - 27.02.2025
'I could have retired at 25 or 21'- Yohan Blake on the tempting offers that nearly forced him to ditch Jamaica
The Jamaican sprinter revealed that loyalty to Jamaica and financial responsibilities have kept him competing, despite opportunities to retire much earlier.
On his Ready-Set-Go podcast, where he finally got to chat with Bolt in an interview moderated by Gatlin’s co-host Rodney Greene, the 2004 Olympic champion opened up on how he had to adapt certain things not just on the track, but also in the gym specifically to one day beat the Jamaican.
“I used to replicate reps in the gym to you, like I used to be like ‘last rep, maxed out’, I would be like ‘I need to do this for Usain’,” Gatlin shared.
“The thing is like. I felt the moment we got to the line specifically for the final, it was not about speed, but other things like nutrition that would lead to things like ‘who can last the longest’.”
Usain Bolt exuded a charismatic and relaxed demeanor before races, often seen joking with fellow competitors and engaging with the crowd, exuding confidence and ease.
)
12:40 - 28.02.2025
Ranking the top 5 'Harambee Stars' Greatest Players of All Time
Five of the greatest Harambee Stars players of all time.
This light-hearted and composed approach was a stark contrast to the intense focus typically seen in Gatlin before, contributing to Bolt's magnetic presence on the track. Now Gatlin, who is a calm, chilled, and nice guy off the track, explained why he needed to wear that no-nonsense persona before races. “I was the opposite of you,” Gatlin said addressing Bolt.
“You needed to be comfortable in your environment because that is when you knew you would be able to race at your highest level but for me, I was always cool and relaxed off the track, but I knew that persona would not do the job for me on it, so I needed to be a monster, a beast, and aggressive.”
Gatlin's journey to dethroning Usain Bolt was a testament to his dedication and strategic approach both on and off the track.
His commitment to rigorous gym routines tailored specifically to challenge Bolt, combined with his understanding of the psychological and nutritional aspects of competition, eventually led to his significant victory in 2017.
)
14:00 - 27.02.2025
Who is Terry Engesha? Everything you need to know about the Harambee Starlets striker whose goal made history in Tunisia
Everything you need to know about the Harambee Starlets striker Terry Engesha, whose goal sank Tunisian hearts during the 2026 WAFCON qualifers.