Posted: September 8, 2005

Athletics: Gatlin - Doubling In Monte Carlo 'Irrelevant.'

By Bob Ramsak, Track Profile

© 2005 Track Profile all rights reserved TrackProfile.com

MONTE CARLO – Many pundits found it surprising that Justin Gatlin, the reigning world and Olympic champion in the 100 meters, would choose to contest the 200 meters tomorrow at the World Athletics Final. But for Gatlin, who also claimed the world title over the half lap in Helsinki, the decision was an easy one.

"Obviously we know right now that I'm number one in the world in the 100 and it would take more than an average performance to catch me in the 100," Gatlin explained. "But right now in the 200, I'm sitting in number two, maybe 13 points behind. So hopefully I can go out there and run a great race and be number one in both."

In the IAAF rankings, Gatlin is sandwiched between compatriots Wallace Spearmon and Tyson Gay, who finished second and fourth behind him at the world championships.

"I want to be number one in both events, and that's mainly what I'm working on here."

Undefeated in four competitions in the longer sprint this season, Gatlin is eager to up that total another notch.

"I think it's going to have to be more than just a win. I'll have to go out there and win by a big margin and win with a good time."

Gatlin ran a personal best 20.00 in Mexico earlier this year, and thinks he can approach that in his first appearance in Monaco tomorrow.

"I went home, I got enough rest, so I think I can come out here and go sub-20."

Last year, Jamaican Asafa Powell concluded his season with a double sprint victory here, but Gatlin simply doesn't think that's necessary.

"It's irrelevant for me to go out there and double," Gatlin said frankly. "I've proven myself more than once this year that I can double. I did it at USA's, I did at the world championships with four rounds at each."

Like many other athletes who have been assembled here this weekend, Gatlin admitted that he's a little tired, but he can't let that stop him. He's got a job to do after all.

After his long season, one he characterized as his longest ever, he said with a smile, "Honestly, I don't really want to race again. But it's my job, that's that I've got to do. I feel good, I went home and got some rest, and I feel like I can come back and run really fast here."

Gatlin also spoke frankly about what an athlete has to put his body through to reach the highest echelon of their sport. And it's not always pretty.

"I try to train as hard as I can without throwing up," Gatlin said, adding that he has yet to vomit after a training session. "I try to keep it all in," he continued, laughing. "It's a mental thing for me. If I can challenge myself to push myself to the edge, my body and my physicalness to the edge where my legs are cramping and I feel like I have to throw up and I hold it, then I know that I'm there. I can run fast, I can be a champion, and I can compete anywhere anytime."

"Anywhere anytime" includes three more competitions after this weekend: 100 meter races in Shanghai, China, Yokohama, Japan, and Busan, South Korea.

Copyright © Bob Ramsak and Track Profile. All rights reserved TrackProfile.com

© 1996 - 2005 RunnersWeb.com - All rights reserved.