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Rio Olympics: Usain Bolt’s Gold Medals Record is by Default Thanks to Justin Gatlin’s 2008 Suspension

By Caleb Calhoun

Aug 28, 2015; Beijing, China; Mens 200m gold medalist Usain Bolt (JAM), center, poses with silver medalist Justin Gatlin (USA), left, and bronze medalist Anaso Jobodwana (RSA) during the IAAF World Championships in Athletics at National Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2015; Beijing, China; Mens 200m gold medalist Usain Bolt (JAM), center, poses with silver medalist Justin Gatlin (USA), left, and bronze medalist Anaso Jobodwana (RSA) during the IAAF World Championships in Athletics at National Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Usain Bolt became the first three-time 100 meter title winner at the Rio Olympics, but it was by default against former Tennessee Volunteer Justin Gatlin.

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The world has hailed Usain Bolt for his performances in the Olympics. Meanwhile, the world turned against former Vol Justin Gatlin in the 2016 Rio Olympics due to past scandals.

He served his time, still won a gold and bronze medal, and maintained his innocence. Remember the first time he was accused of cheating, in college in 2001, he was able to have his suspension overturned because it appeared he was telling the truth about his medical history.

Shouldn’t that count for something?

The witch hunt against him took him out of the 2008 Olympics at his peak age. That was the first year that Usain Bolt won the Gold Medal.

Gatlin returned to the Olympics in 2012 after crossing the 30-year old threshold, and with Olympic rust, he managed to still win the Bronze medal.

Outside of the Olympics, he dominated the 100, 200, and 300 meter races in world competitions.

Fast-forward to Sunday. Gatlin is now age 34. Bolt is 29. He has a huge age advantage. He got the great start, but he had no chance against a guy five years younger.

Bolt deserves credit for his gold medal. He also deserved credit for it in 2012. However, let’s not pretend like he didn’t get a huge break with Gatlin missing the Olympics in 2008.

This three-time gold medal record in the 100-meter race would likely never have happened if Gatlin could have competed in 2008. His performances in other races prove his gold medal in 2004 is legitimate.

His silver medal on Sunday further proves it.

So now, maybe we can finally give Gatlin a break. And let’s acknowledge Bolt’s luck in not having to face him in 2008.

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