Gatlin has Bolt and 2012 London Olympics in his sights

| Tuesday August 10, 2010 00:00

Gatlin was banned for four years in 2006 after testing positive for excessive testosterone. The former world and Olympic champion, who won his first competitive race since the ban in Estonia last Tuesday and clocked 10.17sec today, is aiming to reclaim his place among the elite.

Asked if he thought he would compete in the 2012 Games, the American sprinter told BBC 5 Live: 'I hope so. I think I am a championship kind of runner and competitor and I have a big heart. I always rise to the occasion in competitions.' Gatlin said he was unsure about his chances of beating Bolt. 'I have to make sure I run good times before I can think about being in a race with him. I have been there before and raced against those guys before so I'm not going to be nervous or scared to run against them.'

He does not know why he failed his drugs test, but indicated that suggestions it was due to a cream applied to his leg by a physiotherapist may not be wide of the mark. 'If I went though a process of elimination, theoretically that might be one of the reasons why. I think it was poor decision making on my part about who was around me and now I know who my friends are and who I should have around me to trust.

'You never know what you think or what could happen to you until it happens. You never think you'd get hit by a car until it happens. It's a possibility that everyone can be a victim and not know it. You just have to be aware of your surroundings.

'I had nothing to prove, I was already Olympic champion and world champion and had just broken the world record.

'I didn't need to take any drugs going into an exhibition meet, so I wasn't trying to cheat or do anything to gain the edge when I was already the top man. But that is neither here nor there and right now I'm just focusing on going forward.' (Guardian)