By Daily Sports on July 4, 2016

As he entered the media ten after winning his 100 meters qualifying heat, Justin Gatlin did his best to sidestep the avalanche of questions he knew was coming.

Gatlin wrapped an arm around fellow sprinter Trayvon Bromell and announced, “Trayvon will take all questions about Usain.”

Of course there was no avoiding the topic that has dominated conversation during the first two days of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials even though it took place across the continent. Reporters wanted Gatlin’s reaction to the hamstring injury that forced Usain Bolt to withdraw from Jamaica’s Olympic Trials on Friday night and could jeopardize his chances of extending his reign over the short sprints at the Rio Games.

Gatlin admitted Bolt’s hamstring tear caught him by surprise when a friend informed him about the news via text on Friday night, but he insisted that he does not expect the injury to impact the Olympics’ most anticipated races. Asked if he could envision his biggest rival not competing in either the 100 or 200 at the Summer Games, Gatlin said, “C’mon man, it’s Usain. We’re going to see his face in Rio.”

No other sprinter would be impacted more than Gatlin if Bolt’s injury robs the Olympics of its biggest star.

On one hand, it would improve the 34-year-old American’s chances of capturing Olympic gold for the first time in 12 years if Bolt doesn’t fully recover over the next six weeks. On the other hand, it would devalue the win from a public perception standpoint if the new champ doesn’t have to dethrone a full-strength Bolt to win it.

Gatlin has seldom beaten Bolt on a big stage during the past eight years, yet he has challenged the Jamaican superstar more frequently than any of his other rivals.

In his first big race against Bolt after serving a four-year drug suspension, Gatlin settled for bronze at the 2012 Olympics, 0.12 seconds off the pace. The following year, Gatlin finished 0.08 seconds behind Bolt at the World Championships and took silver.

For once, Gatlin appeared to have the upper hand last year when he posted the five fastest times entering the World Championships. He led Bolt for most of the race before the Jamaican rallied to clip him at the line by just one hundredth of a second.

Gatlin avoided questions on Saturday about wanting to face Bolt at full strength in Rio, saying only that he wanted to focus on qualifying for the Olympics before addressing that topic. Not so bashful was fellow American Olympic hopeful Mike Rodgers, who insists he hopes to get a crack at Bolt at his best.

“I want him to be there at full strength,” Rodgers said. “I want everybody to be healthy. I want it to be the best race in history.”

By the end of Sunday’s semifinals and finals, it will be more clear whether the U.S. can produce a challenger to Bolt in the 100 meters. Gatlin cruised to a victory in his first-round heat on Saturday, finishing in 10.03 seconds. Bromell posted the fastest opening-round time at 9.94 seconds, followed closely by Christian Coleman at 9.96 and Tyson Gay at 9.97.

That Bolt can run in the Olympics without earning his spot at his country’s trials reflects a philosophical difference between USA Track and Field and Jamaica’s national federation.

The U.S. only takes athletes who finish in the top three in their respective events at the Olympic Trials. Jamaica allows for medical exemptions if the athlete in question can get healthy in time for the Olympics.

The difference in philosophy is most apparent in the fate of Allyson Felix, the U.S.’s most decorated female sprinter. A hobbled Felix ran the semifinals of the 400 meters on a bad ankle on Saturday because she knows she cannot get a free pass.

“The running joke in America is sprinters come a dime a dozen,” Gatlin said. “For us to even think about getting a medical exemption here, it’s not going to happen. Look at Allyson. She’s the best in her class, probably the most popular female athlete in all of track and field and she’s still running out here on an ankle with multiple grade one tears.

“If she’s able to get onthat line and go, we’ve all got to do it.”

Thus it’s up to Gatlin to try to defy age one more time and qualify for his third Olympics.

Waiting in Rio will likely be one final chance to dethrone the man who always seems to steal his spotlight — even when he’s injured.

“One thing you’ve got to know about Usain is he’s not going to show his cards until it’s time,” Gatlin said. “He’ll come out when he’s ready.” (Yahoosports)

•Photo shows Justin Gatlin and Usain Bolt.

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 4, 2016

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