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Justin Gatlin has explained why he thinks Jamaican fans are the best, even though they made him feel like 'public enemy number one' from 2014 onwards back when he was Usain Bolt's biggest rival.
Justin Gatlin, one of America’s most decorated sprinters, has joined fellow athlete Noah Lyles in expressing concern over the lack of recognition for track and field in the United States.
Gatlin contrasted this with countries like Jamaica, where athletes carry the weight of immense national pride and expectation.
Speaking on Asafa Powell's YouTube show, The Powells, Gatlin shared his perspective on the unique challenges faced by sprinters:
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09:12 - 19.08.2024
'Tebogo had 30,000 but I had no bus waiting'– American sprint king slams USA for not celebrating its Olympians
The Olympic champion has expressed his disappointment at the lukewarm reception Team USA athletes received back home despite their successful outing in Paris.
“The mental part of the game is hard because you are not in a traditional team sport. You cannot hide amongst teammates or let them take the victory. When you’re out there, it’s just you. You either come home with the victory or not,” Gatlin explained.
Despite his success, including an Olympic gold medal, Gatlin noted the lack of fanfare in the U.S.:
“Even after winning the Olympics, I got off the plane, and there was no parade or anything like that. I don’t have a street or statue named after me. It was an individual victory compared to the national celebration athletes in other countries experience.”
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12:00 - 08.12.2024
'You have to be selfish' - Elaine Thompson-Herah reveals extra reason she chose to leave Stephen Francis-led MVP track club
Elaine Thompson-Herah has struggled for form and fitness since quiting Stephen Francis' MVP Track club in 2021, but she has revealed a fresh stance on why she had to leave.
Reflecting on his rivalry with Usain Bolt, Gatlin shared how his competitive rise post-2014 made him feel like a villain in the eyes of Jamaican fans. Despite his impressive comeback after serving a four-year doping ban, Gatlin admitted he felt uneasy traveling to Jamaica during his peak:
“Jamaicans are the best fans. They’re die-hard. Win or lose, they want good competition. But for a while, I felt like I was public enemy number one. I avoided flying through Jamaica, even if it would have saved me hours of travel.”
The rivalry culminated in Gatlin’s victory over Bolt in the 100 meters at the Jamaican legend’s final individual race in 2017. However, Gatlin noted that this on-track tension didn’t translate to bad blood off the field:
“After we started our podcast, Ready Set Go, we got a lot of fanfare from Jamaican fans. That’s when I realized it wasn’t personal.”
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15:02 - 06.12.2024
Stephen Francis sheds light on the rift between Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce & Elaine Thompson-Herah at MVP: 'It became too much'
Both Fraser-Pryce & Thompson-Herah were teammates for a long time at MVP under Stephen Francis' guidance, but their rise to becoming world class sprinters naturally created animosity between the two.
Gatlin highlighted the cultural gap in how track and field athletes are celebrated in the U.S. versus other nations:
“Sometimes I think, ‘Pack up everything, we’re moving to an island where people respect what we’ve built.’ In the U.S., I get recognized occasionally, but it’s never to the magnitude of coming to Jamaica.”
Despite these challenges, Gatlin remains dedicated to the sport through his podcast, which delves into track and field’s nuances while connecting with fans worldwide.
Gatlin’s candid reflections reveal the complexities of being a top athlete in a country where track and field often takes a backseat to other sports. As he navigates life post-retirement, his story highlights both the struggles and triumphs of building a legacy in an unforgiving spotlight.
His rivalry with Bolt and interactions with Jamaican fans serve as a reminder of how the sport transcends borders, fostering respect and admiration even among competitors.
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