Justin Gatlin has opened up on how an enforced decision due to injury woes turned out to be one of the greatest decisions he made en-route to beating Usain Bolt in 2017.
American sprint icon Justin Gatlin has reflected on a pivotal decision in 2017 that shaped his career and led to his unforgettable victory over Usain Bolt at the IAAF World Championships in London.
Facing significant challenges, including an ankle injury that disrupted his training, Gatlin made the difficult call to compete solely in the 100 meters.
While this move forced him to abandon plans to double up in the 200 meters, Gatlin now considers it “one of the greatest decisions” he ever made during his illustrious 20-year track and field career.
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In the highly anticipated 100m final, Gatlin delivered an extraordinary performance, clocking 9.92 seconds to claim gold.
The race was not just a physical test but an emotional and mental one, as Gatlin faced a hostile crowd who booed him due to his controversial doping past.
Despite the adversity, he silenced critics by defeating Bolt, who finished third in his final individual race, and Christian Coleman, who earned silver.
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Reflecting on the race during his Ready Set Go podcast alongside Rodney Greene and Jamaican legend Veronica Campbell-Brown, Gatlin admitted, “In 2017, that was the only real championship I went into where I did not do the one and the two, and I felt exposed.
“ I felt exposed and like, ‘I am only here for this, and I have to put my eggs in one basket.’ I will not call it fear, but I felt uncomfortable knowing I had only one thing to bet on.”
Gatlin acknowledged that narrowing his focus entirely on the 100m was a gamble, but it allowed him to concentrate all his energy on perfecting his strategy and execution.
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The challenges he faced, including injuries and the pressure of expectations, forced him to adopt a precise, focused approach that ultimately paid off. “It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made, which was to just focus on this,” he remarked.
The race wasn’t Gatlin’s only showing at the championships; he also anchored Team USA to a silver medal in the 4x100m relay.
However, his victory in the 100m remains a defining moment, marking his ability to rise above physical and mental hurdles, block out negativity, and deliver when it mattered most.
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