American sprinting legend Justin Gatlin had a fair share of ups and downs in his career. Regardless, he had a rewarding career and was the biggest competitor of Usain Bolt.

Despite his stellar runs, Gatlin had faced a lot of criticism for his controversy and rivalry with Bolt. 39-year-old, Justin has finally opened up about how it felt to face backlash and be called a “villain.”

Justin Gatlin on the negativity he faced being the rival of Usain Bolt

The intense and fiery rivalry between Bolt and Gatlin started in 2004 when Bolt featured in his maiden Olympics. Notably, Gatlin was the man who defeated Bolt in his first Olympic race, and the last race of his career. However, Bolt has grabbed more love and respect worldwide.

Gatlin had faced a lot of bumps in his career, but he kept going. In 2006, Gatlin had a major setback, as he was banned for eight years. American sprinter talked about the trauma he had to go through because of the ban and being Bolt’s rival.

Gatlin said, ” You know when people go through trauma, they kind of like compartmentalize you know their personality and their feelings emotions. And that’s what left me there, like being taken as the villain, and not having any way to justify me to me not being a villain, so I had to like, step to the occasion.

He further added, “It may be the trauma from articles and reading newspapers and people judging me on not even knowing me.”?

Gatlin did not let it affect him negatively

American sprinter did not let the negativity affect his performance. Inspiringly, Justin Gatlin is still running while Bolt has already hanged his spikes.

Gatlin further revealed how it helped him change his personality.?“It made me create a whole different personality. It made me become this figure on the track that had to protect my whole essence and what I mean by that is I think a lot of people in that situation would have crumbled have just nor even come back into track and field for one, and would have never stepped up to the challenge race against the fastest man in history too.”

The five-time Olympic medalist has inspired many young athletes with his unstoppable energy. While he had setbacks, no one can take away the legacy he created for American athletes to look up to.

Read More: Nigerian Reporter Tells Usain Bolt He Won Because Gatlin ?Made a Mistake?