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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/40842008
Thought it was an interesting discussion between Steve Cram and Michael Johnson yesterday on BBC after Gatlin won and he was booed after the race and at the medal ceremony. Thoughts?
I think they both have strong points well made. MJ saying that Gatlin shouldn't be the only one singled out because of his drugs past, and being presented as the villain and Bolt the saviour. Cram was guilty of this in his commentary 2 years ago alluding that Bolt beating Gatlin may have saved the sport. But Cram firing back saying that Gatlin, no matter how much he dislikes this, is front face of athletics running in the marquee event compared to a discus throwe who is a drugs cheat who finishes 12th.
For me Gatlin winning just highlights how tainted the sport is and him winning shows how bad the system is letting him back in. I have no problem with him winning, as the rules allowed him to. Bolt just didn't run well enough, you could tell he was really struggling in the earlier rounds. He got away with it 2 years ago in Beijing when Gatlin choked at the finish, but didn't this time. The fact it was his farewell (still to be convinced) is beside the point.
Thought it was an interesting discussion between Steve Cram and Michael Johnson yesterday on BBC after Gatlin won and he was booed after the race and at the medal ceremony. Thoughts?
I think they both have strong points well made. MJ saying that Gatlin shouldn't be the only one singled out because of his drugs past, and being presented as the villain and Bolt the saviour. Cram was guilty of this in his commentary 2 years ago alluding that Bolt beating Gatlin may have saved the sport. But Cram firing back saying that Gatlin, no matter how much he dislikes this, is front face of athletics running in the marquee event compared to a discus throwe who is a drugs cheat who finishes 12th.
For me Gatlin winning just highlights how tainted the sport is and him winning shows how bad the system is letting him back in. I have no problem with him winning, as the rules allowed him to. Bolt just didn't run well enough, you could tell he was really struggling in the earlier rounds. He got away with it 2 years ago in Beijing when Gatlin choked at the finish, but didn't this time. The fact it was his farewell (still to be convinced) is beside the point.