Olympics: Bolt shrugs off rival’s challenge

Dismissed suggestions that former Olympic champion Gatlin will provide the biggest challenge for his 100-metre crown.

Usain Bolt dismissed suggestions that former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin will provide the biggest challenge for his 100-metre crown at the London Olympics, according to the BBC. Gatlin, who claimed a gold medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004 before a four-year drugs ban, clocked 9.87 seconds in Doha a couple of weeks ago. “I don’t want to sound rude, but Gatlin’s had his chance,” said Bolt. “He has a few guys to get past before he should be worried about me. He’s been on top, but to say ‘get ready for the Gatlin show’ is funny.” The Jamaican sprinter has pledged to bounce back at the Rome meeting after his disappointing time in Ostrava last week.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2012.