“Last time I checked, someone who takes medication for a disorder is not a doper,” said a devastated Olympic gold medalist back in 2001. In a shocking turn of events, the track icon was found positive for an amphetamine contained in the Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) medication. The American claimed that it was a huge shock for him, and he was unaware of the severity of using the medication. The Olympic sprinter later went on to claim that he was taken aback at why he was handed a two-year suspension. Because, as per his knowledge, other athletes taking a similar medication ended up getting warned. 

Now then, after appealing against the ruling, he did have his ban reduced to a year. But the mental toll that he went through was too much. The ban in 2001 was extremely hard to take for the Olympian as he had always perceived himself as a good guy. The Olympian was none other than US track legend Justin Gatlin. Fast forward to 2025, a full 24 years after his doping fiasco, Gatlin has not yet forgotten his dark days. Appearing on the January 9, 2025 episode of the Run Your Race podcast, Gatlin delved deep into what he went through back then. 

Gatlin shared that he was diagnosed with ADD in the second grade. And since then, he had been taking regular medication to keep things at bay. He pointed out that back in school, his medication was never a problem. But that was not the case anymore when he turned pro. “So ADD, my medication at that point in time was Adderall. It wasn’t a big thing. But the moment you step into the USA track and field world, the IAAF world, they have ways of testing you. After my freshman year in college, I was banned for two years.” 

Gatlin stated that the news of him getting banned was passed on to him by his parents. And the moment he heard the devastating words, he was in shock. “I’m banned. I’m devastated, bro. I’m crying. I always viewed myself as a good guy. At that point in time, I went cold turkey. I love track more than I love my mind.”  

Back in 1988, the Canadian sprinter, Ben Johnson became involved in what turned out to be one of the most damaging doping scandals in Olympic history. Shortly after winning gold in the 100m dash in Seoul, Johnson tested positive for an anabolic steroid. Consequently, he surrendered his medal to his American rival, Carl Lewis who had come second in the race. It was a scandal from which Johnson could not come back.

But Gatlin could. He came back and won both the Olympics and the World Championships. Fame and fortune, however, did not last long for him. And despite being a 100m world record holder at 9.77s, Gatlin yet again succumbed to a dark phase. And this time, it was a point from where he could not return for his entire life. The Olympic gold medalist was slapped with a second doping charge in 2006! 

Justin Gatlin’s credibility took a hit

 While the first doping allegation was let off as ignorance, this time, he was found using testosterone! Never admitting to doping, he accused his massage therapist of rubbing testosterone on his legs. This resulted in the hormone getting mixed in his system which caused the positive test result. 

As Gatlin was banned for 4 years, more serious consequences rocked his professional career. The Olympic gold medalist was stripped of his world record timing. And even after he returned from his ban, Gatlin was termed as a cheater. Remember, this was after he had established himself as a force to be reckoned with, winning the World Championship at 35.

According to Gatlin, he was not allowed to run in big races and was booed almost everywhere he went. And even in the races where he did run, the Olympian was not paid enough to suffice even the cost of his flight. Thus, with a sorry ending to his career, Justin Gatlin will always remain as the athlete whose promising career was marred by doping scandals significantly.