Justin Gatlin predicts Usain Bolt's comeback after retirement

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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American sprinter Justin Gatlin believes Usain Bolt will find it hard to stay away from the track and eventually return from his retirement to compete yet again. Bolt had announced he would retire from the sport after participating at the World Championships in London, starting in August.

One of Usain Bolt's fiercest rivals, Justin Gatlin, has predicted that the Jamaican would find the track hard to resist and would make a comeback to the sport after his retirement. Gatlin was beaten by Bolt at last year's Olympics and also at the last two World Championships.

Bolt has already announced that he will retire from the sport after competing in the 100m and 4x100m relay at the World Championships in London but Gatlin thinks otherwise.

On being questioned whether Bolt could make a comeback to the track Gatlin replied,"Why not? He has that rock star mentality where he can travel the world, have fun, party in different places and then say: ‘I want to take this seriously one more time.’ He has the opportunity to come back. Once he leaves he can have a year of rest and say: ‘I love track so much I can’t leave it too soon.’"

“For me it’s a rare moment which you’re not able to appreciate like I do. He’s a true competitor. In my whole career I’ve never raced anyone who’s such a true competitor and who’s going toe-to-toe with me," Gatlin, who is training with the United States squad in Birmingham, added.

Gatlin, who has been banned from the sport twice for doping charges, ended behind Bolt in the 100m race in the Beijing World Championships two years ago, which ended his  28-run unbeaten record at that time. The American athlete also lost to the Jamaican in the 200m in Beijing. 

However, the 35-year old was excited as a new era would be ushered in with the departure of Bolt, who has dominated the track these past years.

“It makes you a little more jittery. Who’s going to step up to fill that void, who’s going to rise to the occasion and wants to be the next superstar?”

"Now you`re not worried about the Usain Bolt Show. Now you're more concerned about the head-on competition, people rising to the occasion and saying: `I will do it for me and my family now I have the opportunity to run from the front`," he concluded.

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