With Usain Bolt facing a battle for fitness, Justin Gatlin laid down a timely Olympic marker with the fastest 100metres in the world this year at the US Olympic trials in Eugene.
The 34-year-old won in 9.80 sec and afterwards warned his Jamaican rivals he expected an American sprint clean sweep of the medals at next month’s Games. He said: “Team USA is going to go 1,2,3 in Rio.”
Gatlin has struggled to get the better of Bolt but is in notably better form and fitness than his long-term rival.
Bolt will fly to Germany this week to consult with Dr Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt, who helped him overcome a pelvic issue to win triple gold at last year’s World Championships.
Whether the Jamaican has the chance to achieve that feat at a third Olympics this summer remains to be seen, with Bolt having just one opportunity — at the Anniversary Games in London on July 22 — to prove himself to selectors.
In Bolt’s absence, Yohan Blake won the 200m at the Jamaican Championships in 20.29sec last night, having won the 100m on Friday in 9.95sec.
