"When you get to Jamaica, you're walking into lion's den" - Justin Gatlin explains how Caribbean nation’s track atmosphere pressures foreign athletes

The 2004 Athens Olympic gold medalist, Justin Gatlin recently opened up about the intimidating atmosphere that Caribbean track and field offers foreign athletes.

During his podcast with Rodney Green, the duo commented on Oblique Seville's amazing victory in the Men's 100m event of the recently concluded Racers Grand Prix 2024 at the Jamaica National Stadium in Kingston.

Seville clocked a formidable run time of just 9.82 seconds during the race as he defeated the six-time World Championship gold medalist, Noah Lyles. This was also the Jamaican's personal best in the 100m event and is one of the best performances he has produced in his career.

However, Seville's amazing performance was also assisted by the Jamaican crowds who came in numbers to support their hometown boy and exert some pressure on the foreign athletes.

During Gatlin and Green's recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast, both former track athletes spoke about the pressure the Jamaican crowds imbibe on foreign athletes. Green stated at 1:18:35:

"Them Jamaican fans going to put pressure on your mind whether you like it or not."

Justin Gatlin followed it up by saying at 1:18:43:

"You are 100 percent right. Listen when you get to Jamaica, you are walking into the lion's den and this is possibly the reason why I did not run in Jamaica for almost a decade."

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Justin Gatlin opens up about the time he defeated Usain Bolt in 2017

Justin Gatlin at the Track and Field Trails for the 2020 Olympics

Justin Gatlin, a Brooklyn native was one of the most formidable track and field athletes in the American circuit. Across his long career, the Brooklyn native has bagged numerous Olympic and World Championship gold medals. However, his most celebrated moment came at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London when he defeated the then 100m Olympic champion Usain Bolt.

Gatlin produced an amazing performance and clocked a run time of 9.92 seconds to defeat the Jamaican. Bolt had to settle for a bronze medal after he registered a run time of 9.95 seconds while United States of America's Christian Coleman bagged the silver in 9.94 seconds.

Recently in his Ready Set Go podcast, Gatlin explained the hike that he received in his appearance fees after defeating the Jamaican in London. He stated at 0:33:

"It can go up 100 percent. Our sport is a ‘what-have-you-done-for-me-lately’ sport. Becoming the World or Olympic champion is better for you to cash in immediately."

Gatlin also explained about the market dynamics that track and field offers to its athletes, especially after winning a global tournament.