DOHA, Qatar (AP) – Justin Gatlin sent a message to Usain Bolt on Friday – both with his legs and his mouth.
Gatlin lived up to the pre-season hype by winning the 100 meters in a world-leading 9.74 seconds at the Diamond League opener, a personal-best time and a new meet record for Doha. While Bolt hasn’t made his season debut yet, it was an early marker from Gatlin ahead of their anticipated showdown at the world championships in Beijing in August.
“That was for him (Bolt),” Gatlin said. “I just wanted to go out and put down a good time. I know I had to go out and make a statement tonight. That’s what my coach told me to do.”
There was a big gap between Gatlin and his chasers, with U.S. relay teammate Michael Rodgers second in 9.96 and Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago third in 10.01.
Gatlin was the fastest man in the world last season over both 100 and 200 meters while Bolt rested, but went even faster in his first 100 of 2015, despite the sweltering heat at Qatar Sports Club.