Usain Bolt still reigns as the fastest man alive since he holds the world record in the 100 Meter Dash, but on Thursday he wasn't the fastest man at the Rome Diamond League. That honor went to an American sprinter--one who is a familiar face to track and field enthusiasts--named Justin Gatlin.
The 31-year old Gatlin (yes, 31 is old when it comes to sprinting) edged out the defending Olympic gold medalists and world record holder with a time of 9.94 seconds; Bolt came in at 9.95.
Yeah, it ain't by much, but a win is a win is a win, right? Not bad for a guy who was banned from the sport not to long ago!
After winning the gold in Athens in '04 with a time of 9.85 he was banned from the sport for using PEDs. The ban was initially an 8-year one, but was lowered to four.
In '10 he began his comeback by making jaws drop at the U.S. trials in Eugene, OR, when he ran a 9.8--the fastest time ever for a man over 30. That is until he ran a 9.79 in London last year.
Not bad for an old man, right? So what if he has a ways to go if he is going to unseat Bolt as the fastest man in the world (record is 9.58).
Gatlin was the fastest man on Thursday, and for now that's all that matters.
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