IAAF and Coe’s behaviour is ‘inhumane’, says Gatlin agent
Renaldo Nehemiah says his client has paid his dues for doping and can't be considered a 'poster boy' anymore.
Justin Gatlin has the last laugh in the 100m. Photo: Rainer Jensen/dpa.
Athletics chief Sebastian Coe and the IAAF’s treatment of controversial 100 metres world champion Justin Gatlin is ‘inhumane’ and ‘unsportsmanlike’, the athlete’s agent told the BBC in a blistering attack.
British athletics legend Coe – a two-time 1500m Olympic champion – had told the BBC on Sunday two-time drugs cheat Gatlin’s victory in the sport’s most high profile event in London, which was watched by over eight million viewers in Britain, was not the ‘perfect script’.
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Gatlin, 35, had been loudly booed throughout the 100m rounds and the verbal abuse was ratcheted up a few notches when he won the final, denying Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt a 12th world title in his last individual final.
The 60,000 plus spectators jeered Gatlin whilst chanting bronze medal winner Bolt’s name as if he were the champion.
Coe – who had said prior to being elected president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) he felt ‘queasy’ about dopers returning and winning titles – remarked he wasn’t very excited about the prospect of placing the gold medal around Gatlin’s neck.
“I’m not eulogistic that someone who has served two bans has walked off with one of our glittering prizes,” said the 60-year-old.
However, Gatlin’s agent Renaldo Nehemiah, a former 110m hurdles world record holder, was scathing about Coe’s remarks.
“I take offence to, with all respect, Lord Coe,” he said.
“I don’t condone doping but Justin Gatlin is not the poster child for it.
“He’s done his time, he plays by the rules, the IAAF reinstated him. They said if you come back we should accept that.
“So to put a narrative out that it’s just Justin Gatlin and he’s the bad guy, it’s really not fair.
“It’s inhumane. It’s unsportsmanlike.”
Gatlin – who reacted to the crowd’s booing of his victory by placing a finger to his mouth – served a four-year ban from 2006-10, reduced from eight years and also served a prior ban whilst a student, although that was also reduced as it was ascertained that he had taken medication for his Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
