Justin Gatlin (born February 10, 1982) is an American former sprinter who specialized in the 100 metres and 200 metres events. He is a five‑time Olympic medalist, including a gold medal in the 100 m at the 2004 Athens Games, and a nine‑time World Championships medalist. Gatlin's career has been marked by both athletic achievements and two separate doping suspensions.
Early life and education
Gatlin was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the community of St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Washington High School, where he began to focus on sprinting, and later earned a scholarship to the University of Tennessee. While at Tennessee, he won the NCAA outdoor 100 m title in 2002.
Professional career
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2004–2006: Gatlin emerged internationally in 2004, winning the 100 m gold medal at the Athens Olympics with a time of 9.85 seconds, and later that year claimed the World Indoor 60 m title. He also secured a silver medal in the 200 m at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki.
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First doping ban (2006–2010): In July 2006, Gatlin tested positive for the banned stimulant tuaminoheptane. He received a two‑year suspension from competition, which ended in August 2008.
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Return and 2009–2012: After his ban, Gatlin returned to the sport, winning the 100 m at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin (9.90 seconds) and earning silver medals in the 100 m at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships. He competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, finishing fourth in the 100 m final in London (2012).
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Second doping ban (2012–2014): In June 2012, a second positive test for a prohibited substance (testosterone) resulted in a four‑year ban, later reduced to two years on appeal, allowing him to return to competition in July 2014.
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Later career (2015–2022): Gatlin won the 100 m gold medal at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing (9.92 seconds) and repeated the feat at the 2017 World Championships in London (9.92 seconds). He qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), placing fifth in the 100 m final.
Personal bests
- 100 m: 9.74 seconds (Moscow, 2015) – wind‑assisted; legal best 9.77 seconds (2007).
- 200 m: 19.57 seconds (2006).
Doping controversies
Gatlin's career includes two separate doping violations. The first involved the stimulant tuaminoheptane, and the second involved the anabolic agent testosterone. Both bans were administered by the United States Anti‑Doping Agency (USADA) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF, now World Athletics). Gatlin has publicly expressed regret for the violations and has denied knowingly using performance‑enhancing drugs.
Retirement
In 2022, Gatlin announced his retirement from competitive track and field. Post‑retirement, he has engaged in public speaking, coaching, and commentary related to athletics.
Legacy
Justin Gatlin remains one of the most successful American sprinters in terms of medal count, yet his legacy is divided due to his doping infractions. He holds the distinction of being the only male sprinter to win World Championship titles both before and after serving a doping ban. His performances have contributed to ongoing discussions about fairness, redemption, and the impact of anti‑doping policies in elite sport.