“So I did get some kind of record” - Gatlin

Helsinki, FinlandIt didn’t take long for Justin Gatlin to realize that he would add the World championship in the 100 metres to his Olympic title. Less than 60 metres to be precise.

"Actually I yelled half way through the race," the 23-year-old Gatlin said, sporting a wide grin after his dominating 9.88 victory. "I knew that it was over. I knew that I had it."

By the time he powered through the finish line, the near-capacity crowd at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium and an international television audience of four billion knew it was over too.

Largest ever winning margin

"I really didn’t know the margin of victory until I looked up at the scoreboard," Gatlin said. "Whatever it takes to win. Whether that means winning by a mile or an inch, I’m there."

In terms of World 100m titles won in the history of these championships, his margin was closer to that proverbial mile. His .17 victory margin over runner-up Michael Frater was the largest ever in a World championship, topping the .15 spread with which Carl Lewis won the 1987 title in Rome.

"So I did get some kind of record," he said, laughing.  "It’s a great consolation to go out there and show how dominant I am this year."

Gatlin has displayed remarkable consistence this year, winning seven of his nine finals. Last year, his only victory came when it counted most, in the Olympic final in Athens, when he emerged victorious from perhaps the finest 100 metre race ever. The importance of claiming his second consecutive major title in as many tries didn’t escape Gatlin, who, since leaving the University of Tennessee in the fall of 2002 to pursue the sport professionally, has repeatedly said that his aim is become one of the finest sprinters ever. It’s not difficult to argue that he’s off to a very strong start.

"I think it really stakes the claim that I’m a champion," he said, "that I run like a champion, and that I show up big when it’s time to show big at championships."

No one who witnessed his command performance could disagree with Gatlin’s assessment. Despite his typical rocky start which saw the entire field about even through the first 30 metres, his dominance the rest of the way certainly backs up his assertions.

"The race was a great race," he insisted. "The start wasn’t the greatest start. But then again, everybody in the field has a greater start than me. But the second half, I pulled away from the field. What more can you ask for? I was victorious and I have the gold medal."

Missing Asafa

In the weeks building up to the championships, much attention was devoted to the absence of recently-minted world record holder Asafa Powell, who was knocked out of the competition with a groin injury. Gatlin insisted that he missed his rival.

"Of course I would have loved Asafa to be here. The race would have been faster. And I think the world record would have been threatened." But his absence, Gatlin said, wouldn’t have altered the result. "And I still think I would have beat him."

Relaxed...a different man
 
A year older and wiser, Gatlin said the biggest difference prior to his Helsinki and Olympic showdowns was how relaxed he felt here.

"Actually, I had to hype myself up to go out there to come victorious," he said. "I know I had a target on my back and I know these guys were running to go out there and scalp my head. And I had to come through victorious."

But Gatlin is hardly finished. After a day of rest, Gatlin returns to action in the 200 on Tuesday where he says he’s ready to improve on his bronze medal showing in Athens.

"There’s a different Justin this year than last year," he said. "Last year I was a little overwhelmed with winning the 100, and I was really relaxed with the 200 running the rounds. This year, I want a gold medal in the 200 and I want a gold medal in the 4x100. I want three gold medals and that’s what I’m going for. When I start the 200," he said, "you guys are going to see a different Justin Gatlin."

Bob Ramsak for the IAAF