”He’s injured, gets a medical pass, that’s what his country does. Our country doesn’t do that”. These are Justin Gatlin’s words at the agency press American Press about the possibility of Usain Bolt to compete in the Olympic Games: in fact, because of an accident, the athlete was not able to take part in the Jamaican Olympic Trials.
Nevertheless, during the phase of Diamond League in London, the Olympic multi champion demonstrated he is in a perfect shape for the Olympic Games, running and awarding his first 200m race of the season clocking 19″89, time that does call in question his participation in the event but ensures him the possibility to get a medal.
Bolt was disappointed in Gatlin’s words that blame him for having received a preferential treatment by the Federation, while in USA this would not have been possible. To demonstrate this, the fact that the new world record holder for 100hs Kendra Harrison will not be part of the Star and Stripes team since she got the 5th place at the Olympic Trials.
“From me, I felt it was a joke, I felt it was a disrespect they think I’d back out of the trials. I’ve proven myself year on year that I’m the greatest. I laughed when I heard it, I was disappointed, especially in Justin Gatlin“.
After these statements, the challenge between the two athletes could be more interesting, considering, moreover, this is the last Olympic Games for Bolt who announced his target is to clock below 19″ and to beat his WR of 19″19.
Photo AP