ORLANDO, USA – Justin Gatlin isn’t going to let all the negativity, surrounding his return after a drugs ban, get to him as he looks to challenge Usain Bolt in the major championships years of 2015 and 2016, report Al Jazeera.
The US sprinter said that the prospect of taking on the Jamaican superstar has made him focus on improving his flaws, so that he can increase his chances of winning when they do eventually duel.
“When I look at him, I see a showman. I see a guy who’s going to step up to the plate and get it done. And that makes me look at my flaws want to fix things. I’m a competitor. That’s what drives me.
“I’m not worried about what anyone else thinks of me.”
He didn’t pay much attention to the athletes that voiced their unhappiness with his inclusion on the IAAF Athlete of the Year shortlist, saying, “For people to get mad about a popularity contest is just silly."
"… And it was hurdlers and discus throwers. If a 100m or 200m guy was to speak out against me, that would’ve been different.”