Justin Gatlin on track to beat Usain Bolt’s record this summer, claims John Regis

Bolt’s 100metres record could be in serious jeopardy this summer
Gatlin could produce nightmare scenario for advocates of clean sport
He has run the quickest times in the world for the 100m and 200m this year
Former GB sprinter Regis believes Gatlin has what it takes to triumph

Published:
22:25 GMT, 26 June 2015

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Updated:
08:19 GMT, 27 June 2015

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Justin Gatlin can produce a nightmare scenario for advocates of clean sport by breaking Usain Bolt’s 100metres world record this summer, according to former GB sprinter John Regis.

Gatlin, who has run the quickest times in the world for both the 100m and 200m this year, has served two separate drugs bans and is now running quicker than ever aged 34.

Many would view him beating Bolt at the upcoming World Championships in Beijing as a triumph for the villain over the sport’s ultimate hero.

Former GB sprinter John Regis believes Justin Gatlin can break Usain Bolt’s 100metres record

Gatlin has served two separate drugs bans and is now running quicker than ever at the age of 34

But Regis thinks he can go one step further and beat Bolt’s 9.58sec record set in Berlin in 2009.

‘I thought I’d be pushing up daisies before that record was broken but I seriously think Gatlin can do it,’ said Regis.

‘There’s only one man who’s going to win the 100m in Beijing and that’s Gatlin, it’s absolutely incredible at this stage in his career.’

Gatlin has not been beaten in a sprint race since 2013, when Bolt won over 100m at the World Championships in Moscow and at a Diamond League race in Zurich two weeks later.

But Gatlin is in much better form now, opening his season with a 9.74sec dash in Doha, while Bolt has been pedestrian by his standards, only managing a season’s best of 10.12sec.

The Jamaican gave rise to fears that he will not be in shape to retain his two world titles in Beijing by pulling out of the national trials in Kingston this week.

‘I don’t think Bolt will be ready,’ said Regis.

Gatlin, who was banned for a year after testing positive for amphetamine in 2001 and for four years in 2006 for taking the banned steroid testosterone, will contest the 200m at the US trials in Oregon, having already qualified for the 100m at the World Championships by virtue of winning the Diamond League title last year.

‘I think he can run 19.5sec over 200m as well,’ added Regis. But British former javelin world record holder Steve Backley was not relishing the idea of Gatlin winning gold in Beijing.

‘I can’t say absolutely categorically, but I suspect that nobody other than Justin Gatlin, his agent and his manager like the prospect, or are happy with the prospect, of him winning the World Championships this summer,’ said Backley,

‘People don’t want to see drug cheats prospering, so a twice-convicted athlete wouldn’t go down well.’