“Let’s Wait and See” – Justin Gatlin Gives Cryptic Response to Retirement Rumors

American sprinter Justin Gatlin ended his run in this year’s World Athletics Continental Tour on anything but a high. In the Kip Keino Classic held in Nairobi, the 39-year-old finished third in yesterday’s 100m race.

Following his race, Gatlin faced questions on whether he would retire after a season which saw him miss the Tokyo Olympics.

Justin Gatlin responds to questions about his retirement

Many would believe a third-place finish in a 100m race would augur well for an athlete. However, he finished 0.26s behind fellow American Trayvon Bromell, who won the race. This highlights the gap between the experienced Gatlin and the new generation of athletes, despite being the last American to win a gold medal in the men’s 100m event at the Games.

During his career, he served bans for doping on two separate occasions. Following the completion of the four-year term of his second ban in 2010, Gatlin amassed more medals in several athletic meets.

While he won his Olympic gold in the 2004 Athens Olympics, he took home a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Four years prior, he took bronze in the 2012 London Olympics. During those years, he engaged in a highly competitive rivalry with retired Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt.

Although he reached the 100m final in the US Olympic Trials this year, disaster struck as he pulled his hamstring, ruling him out of the Olympics. Following his third-place finish in Nairobi yesterday, Gatlin said, “I came from an injury with the hope of getting a win here.”

Furthermore, he admitted looking forward to next season when asked about retirement. He said, “Hopefully let’s wait and see what’s in store for the new season.” The 39-year-old revealed he will take a break to decide his future.

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Trayvon Bromell sets the fastest time of the 2021 season

Meanwhile, Bromell edged out Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala by a mere 0.01s to clinch victory. Clocking 9.76s, the 26-year-old bettered his own season best to make amends for his shock loss in Tokyo.

Although Omanyala seemed to have made a slow start, he finished strong to make the finish that much tighter. He clocked 9.77s to record the eighth-best time in the history of the event.

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