Spencer’s image is probably set to be the most iconic of a career that has been spent in front of the cameras, although Bolt gave the world plenty more colorful material before and after his race on Sunday night. “He shows up and pushes you to run fast and be at your best at all times”.
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Whilst on the track, Bolt and Gatlin are referred to by many as good vs evil, or Jekyll & Hyde, but Gatlin admits that the couple are close friends away from athletics. “I’m here to perform and do what I have to do and that’s what I did, I came out and did what I have to do”. “And it’s just an honor to be part of history”.
Canada’s Andre De Grasse took bronze 0.02 seconds behind Gatlin in a time of 9.91, ahead of Jamaican Yohan Blake in 9.93.
“It was brilliant. I didn’t go so fast but I’m so happy I won”, Bolt said after winning on Sunday.
“Guys, I have the utmost respect for Usain”, said Gatlin.
But the Jamaican surged through from 60 metres to pass Gatlin and comfortably win his seventh Olympic gold.
The American served a four-year ban that was twice reduced, first from a lifetime then to eight years. Gatlin, meanwhile, endured a chorus of boos when he came to the track for both the semifinals and the final.
Bolt said: “My coach [Glen Mills] said he’s the only guy right now, apart from me, that can break the 400m world record”.
“It wasn’t the best start, I feel kind of sluggish”. But they don’t know me. They don’t know Justin.
“I’d like to see everyone have respect in the audience, as well”.
Instead, as Galin tied up in the races closing quarter, he was forced to watch on as Bolt coasted towards the finish line and into the record books.
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“I’m a competitor, he’s a competitor”, Gatlin said. “And he has pushed me to be the athlete I am today”. I hope that he can say the same for me.
