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Justin Gatlin stumbles late as Bolt wins 100 at worlds

United States' Justin Gatlin after competing in the the men’s 100m final at theWorld Athletics Championships at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015. Gatlin won the silver medal. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
United States' Justin Gatlin after competing in the the men’s 100m final at theWorld Athletics Championships at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015. Gatlin won the silver medal. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) United States' Justin Gatlin after competing in the the men’s 100m final at theWorld Athletics Championships at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015. Gatlin won the silver medal. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

By Associated Press 3 min read

BEIJING (AP) – Four straight times after his spirit-sapping defeat, Justin Gatlin heard some version of this question: Was it good for track that you lost to Usain Bolt?

Four straight times, his response was simply: “I’m thankful.”

That non-answer was the best the two-time convicted doper could do under the circumstances. Gatlin handled his .01-second loss to Bolt on Sunday at the world championships with his usual show of class.

The difference in such a close race? The tape shows he stumbled ever so slightly over the last 15 meters and leaned to the line too early while Bolt was bearing down. Maybe that stumble was caused by the extra weight he carries around trying to prove he’s not as bad as people say he is.

“No one wanted Gatlin to win,” said Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, who served a six-month doping ban last year. “I am just glad Usain had the legs to do it.”