When Usain Bolt appeared on Justin Gatlin’s podcast in 2011, the Jamaican was in a forgiving mood despite the fact that he had disclosed that Gatlin had spat at him prior to a race in 2011.
After longtime rival Justin Gatlin finally offered an apology, Usain Bolt stayed true to his typical easygoing self. Back in October, the legendary Jamaican sprinter, who won three straight 100-meter titles and eight Olympic gold medals, revealed that Gatlin had once spat across his lane prior to a 2011 race, seemingly in an effort to frighten him.
Although Bolt claims he wasn’t bothered at the time, the moment stuck with him because it was their first-ever head-to-head match. Bolt made the decision to bring up the notorious incident again during an appearance on the Ready Set Go podcast, which is hosted by Gatlin and former Olympian Rodney Green. Gatlin sincerely apologized as a result, but Bolt made it plain that he never needed one.
“You know when you warm up and you’re running out of your blocks? I was walking back and he was walking towards me, and he kind of spat across the lane in front of me,” Bolt, now 38, recalled with a grin. “I laughed, because I knew what he was trying to do, but for me, it doesn’t matter.
“I understood why. Remember, Justin was in the era of Maurice Green and all these guys. That’s what he is used to. That’s the mentality… For me, it was funny. Because I understood in track and field how it is. I wasn’t worried… I looked up and I smiled because I understood he was just trying to intimidate me, but I wasn’t worried.”
Gatlin denied any deliberate disrespect but still took the opportunity to make amends. “I apologise,” the American said, drawing laughter from Bolt. “The thing is, for me, I’m so focused. I don’t even think in that moment I was thinking about doing those little petty trickery things, you know what I’m saying? I’m thinking, I got allergies.
