"He kept me on my toes really" - Usain Bolt reveals United States sprinter who was his toughest sprinting rival

Usain Bolt has named Justin Gatlin as his toughest sprinting rival ahead of Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay, and Wallace Spearmon. The two started their career in the early 2000s but the rivalry only came to the fore after 2010.

Bolt and Gatlin competed at the 2004 Olympic Games but it was a contrasting debut for the two. The American won the 100m gold while the Jamaican crashed out due to injuries. They met for the first time at the 2005 World Championships, and it was Gatlin who came out triumphant while Bolt limped off to the finish line with another injury.

However, Gatlin tested positive for a prohibited substance a year later and returned in 2010. During that period, Bolt had become a phenomenon while the American athlete was struggling to cross the 10-second mark. Gatlin slowly gained momentum, and from 2011 to 2017, it was him and Bolt battling out for gold at major championships.

Speaking on ‘The Obi One Podcast’ about his greatest sprinting rivals, Usain Bolt named Justin Gatlin as the one who stood out among Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay, Wallace Spearmon, and others.

‘I think Justin Gatlin, I have to give my hats off to him. The last five years of my career, maybe five six years, it was just me and him, every season and he kept me on my toes, and I love the competition,” he stated. (26:00)

Bolt also admitted that Gatlin made him better. Referencing an incident from 2016, the Jamaican claimed that he wasn't motivated leading up to the Rio Olympics but a video of Gatlin stating he would win the gold and show it around America fired him up. He eventually defeated Gatlin in the 100m final.

---

A brief look at Usain Bolt vs Justin Gatlin rivalry

Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin (Image via Getty)

After Justin Gatlin returned in 2010, Usain Bolt was at the peak of his prowess. However, by 2012, the American had regained his form and was pitted as a strong contender to stop Bolt from defending his Olympic double. Nothing would stop the fastest man in the world as he came out on top followed by Yohan Blake. Gatlin finished third despite clocking a personal best of 9.79s.

In the years following the London Olympics, Usain Bolt was continuously hampered by injuries while Justin Gatlin kept dominating over 100m and 200m. Heading into the 2015 World Championships, the American was the favorite to defeat Bolt but the result was similar.

Gatlin would enter the 2016 Rio Olympics as a favorite again, and the rivalry was more intense with a lot of trash-talking having been done earlier in the season. But Bolt defended his crown nonetheless, and the American had to wait one more year. He eventually won against Bolt at the 2017 World Championships, defeating him in a major championship after 12 years.