Gatlin Suspended...for 4 Years!!

My family is a little different than the average American family. First of all, we're Nigerian, and as far as sports go, we watch a lot of "alternative" genres. Soccer, gymnastics, tennis, figure skating, and even wrestling (the fake kind) are Anunkor-family favorites. (I used my stiff arm to force in tons of football/basketball/baseball, and it's worked.) We enjoy watching the Olympics, both seasons, and we have a real love for track and field.

I may be a lot of things, but I'm no fool. Athletes are going to extreme measures to achieve that number one spot. Nowadays it seems as though steady training, practice and performance enhancing drugs are the way to go. Just ask some of our more prominent track stars, they'll tell you.

Justin Gatlin knows this first hand. If you've never heard of him, he's a sprinter. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Gatlin went on to the University of Tennessee and won 6 NCAA sprint titles. He runs the 100 and 200 meter races, indoor and outdoor, and has represented the US in several world events, including the 2004 Athens Olympics where he won the gold medal in the 100-meter race, finishing in 9.85 seconds. In 2006 he ran the 100 meter dash in 9.76 seconds, which was 0.01 second faster than Jamaica's Asafa Powell's world record. Come to find out a timing error was to blame, and he actually tied the record instead. Regardless, the man is fast.

Naturally 'very fast,' but 'fast as hell' because of cheating. He's tested positive for banned substances on a few occasions, and is now paying the price. He first tested positive for amphetamines. At that time he was taking meds to treat his ADD, and his camp argued that it was the medication that caused him to test positive. The USADA, United States Anti-Doping Agency, bought it, and after some investigation agreed to nullify the first result. Gatlin subsequently tested positive again for elevated testosterone levels and other steroids in April 2006. Gatlin, like most guilty (and innocent) people said, "I cannot account for these results, because I have never knowingly used any banned substance or authorized anyone to administer such a substance to me." According to USADA regulations, was supposed to receive a lifetime ban. Instead, he received an 8-year suspension for helping the USADA during an internal investigation about doping in the sport. After 18 more months of arbitration, Gatlin was able to reduce that to a four-year ban, and his record-tying performance stricken from the record books! He had dreams of defending his title at the Beijing Olympics this August, but since he won't be able to run until May 25, 2010, that's completely out of the question.

It just seems like a matter of time before another big name pops up on the long list of performance-enhancing drug users. It's unfortunate and discouraging, but it's our sad reality. I don't think anyone is surprised by the usage anymore. Steroids have become commonplace so it's hard not to look at a lot of sports and athletes with the crooked eye. Is he/she on the stuff? Look at the size of his head! You can't recovery from injuries that fast! Lemme see ya balls - Are they shrunken? These are all questions you have to ask when you watch baseball, football, cycling, tennis, track and field, wrestling, etc. It's just a matter of time before ping pong-ers, fishermen and poker players start popping up too.

So, what will Justin Gatlin do with the next 4 years?! Apparently the fastest man in the world wants to roll wit the big dogs!! Yup, he's eyeing the NFL! He hasn't played organized football since his freshamn year at Tennessee, but hell, with 4 years free he's looking to keep busy. Last summer he worked out with the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs were pretty serious though, actually allowing him to participate in their rookie mini-camp trying out as a wide receiver (right). Bucs head coach Jon Gruden said "If (his speed) can transfer to football, you have a real threat." I think he's a bit undersized for a WR but his speed could be fatal. With his build, 6'1, 185 pounds, I think he would fit better as a running back, but hey, what do I know? I guess he's smart enough to avoid the bruising contact, stay on the outside, run routes, and try to get out into wide open spaces. He didn't make the cut for the 2007-2008 season, but we'll see if he'll give it another go. Or maybe do like Pacman Jones and get his wrestle on! Who knows...