Gatlin can’t stop me at worlds —Bolt

[FlyJ]

 

Usain Bolt insisted on Thursday he would be ready for the challenge of toppling the in-form American Justin Gatlin at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing next month, AFP retports.

 

The Jamaican track king made the pledge on the eve of his return from injury in the 100m on the opening night of the Anniversary Games Diamond League meeting in London on Friday.

 

Bolt has not raced since winning the New York Diamond League 200m race on June 13 because of a pelvic problem.

 

The world record holder at 100m and 200m also said that he had “a problem” with Gatlin’s United States team-mate Tyson Gay about his doping past but not with Gatlin, who has served two doping suspensions and who has run the four fastest times of 2015 at both 100m and 200m.

 

Asked whether he had lost respect for rivals who had failed drugs tests in their sprinting careers, the 28-year-old Jamaican said, “The only person I really had a problem with was Tyson.

 

Asked why he did not have a similar problem with Gatlin, Bolt said, “It was before my time. I’m not saying it was right what he did but because me and Tyson competed so closely that hurt.”

 

Gatlin has run 9.74sec for 100m this year and Bolt a modest 10.12sec in his only race at the distance in 2012 – in Rio de Janeiro in April.

 

However, the Jamaican maintained he was not daunted by the prospect of facing the US sprinter when he defends his World Championship 100m and 200m titles in Beijing, despite his lack of form and lack of competition this year.

 

“I never doubt myself,” he said. “I look forward to competition. Beijing is a month away I’m not worried about that. I’m trying to take it a step at a time.

 

“I’ve got two races. I’ve been training really hard. I’ve been pushing myself, so it’s all about execution now. If I can execute right and get everything right, I know I’ll run fast. It just takes one run to get to 9.7. I’m not worried about times.

 

“If my coach is not worried, I’m never worried, because he always finds a way to get me ready for the championships. He’s confident I can be ready. I’m confident and all you do is just work.

 

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