“I Have Something Left in the Tank”- Justin Gatlin Settles the Debate on His Retirement

American sprinting star Justin Gatlin has been unstoppable for years. Even after many bumps in his career, nothing has kept Gatlin off the track. He has been synonymous with the American track and field for a while now. The 39-year-old rose to fame at his maiden mega-games at the Athens Olympics 2004. Interestingly, the legendary sprinter Usain Bolt also started his journey in the same year, but it was Gatlin’s year to shine.

While Bolt retired back in 2019, Justin has been giving tough competition to young sprinters. Gatlin wanted to compete at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, however, because of a bad hamstring, he couldn’t make his spot in the team. Earlier it was announced that Gatlin will run his last race at the Gala Dei Castelli Di Bellinzona 2021. However, it seems like Gatlin is still not done.

Justin Gatlin is not done yet

The five-time Olympic medalist has been running at the Athletics meet 2021 after missing out on the Olympic games. The Gala Dei Castelli Di Bellinzona official page had announced that American legend Gatlin would be running the last race of his career at Bellinzona.

In the 100m race at Bellinzona, Tokyo Olympics 2020 gold medalist Andre De Grasse won. Grasse defeated American powerhouses and star sprinters Justin Gatlin and Fred Kerley clocking the time of 10.06. While Gatlin gave his young competitors a neck-to-neck competition, finishing at the third position with 10.17.

Fans expected this to be Gatlin’s race, however, the Olympic sprinting star still thinks he has something left. In conversation with Unconventional Voices of Track and Field, Justin revealed he still wants to think about it.

“Right now going into the off-season, I am really going to think about it. But also I think I have something left in the tank. If I go in and I really train. This past season I had a baby boy. This training cycle has been a challenge for me because of injury, parenting all those things.”

Justin had a special message for his fans, “But for my fans, I am going to take the opportunity to October and November and really think where my headspace is what I am gonna do.”

Gatlin’s Olympic career

Young Gatlin had his star moment at track and field back in 2004 at Athens. Gatlin clinched the gold medal in the 100m race, silver in the 4*100m relay, and bronze in 200m race.

However, he had a major setback in his career after Athens Olympics. However, he returned to the Olympic track at London in 2012, where he clinched the bronze medal in the 100m. Following up on his podium finishes, he bagged the silver medal in the 100m at the Rio Olympics 2016.

Gatlin’s career has been nothing but inspiring for fans and young athletes. It must be an honor for emerging champions like Fred Kerley to compete against the legend himself. Whether or not he will retire is something that he will decide at the end of this year.

Also read: USA Olympic Legend Justin Gatlin to Run Final Race at Italian Track Meet This Year