Justin Gatlin not thinking retirement yet set for Kip Keino Classic
American sprinter and former World and Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin says retirement is not in his dictionary for now.
Gatlin made this known on arriving at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi Friday ahead of the Kip Keino Classic slated for Saturday.
Gatlin, who turns 40 on February 10, next year, hinted that he intends to venture into humanitarian work mainly in the world of sports after retiring
Gatlin revealed that his lowest moment was during the 2015 Beijing World Championships where he settled for silver in both 100m and 200m, losing the battle to Jamaican Usain Bolt in the two events.
He however predicted that Bolt’s World Records of 9.58 in 100m and 19.19 set during the 2009 World Championships will soon be shattered.
“Next season is fast coming up and I will need to sit down with my coach Dennis Mitchell to have a game plan,” said Gatlin, adding that the sunset of his illustrious 22 years track career that has been marked with up-and-downs, is fast approaching.
“I want to show much of my humanitarian side where I will come up with a broad program that will help athletes across the world in different sports,” said Gatlin, who believes that there is a big defect in sports around the world.
“A lot of athletes don’t have the equipment to help mould, explore and achieve their talent to the fullest. One must have the means, know-how and coaching,” Gatlin told the media in Nairobi.
“That is why I want to build a program that will help athletes. For instance, I want the Dominican Republic to produce good baseball players, Kenya is capable of producing quality sprinters and jumpers,” said Gatlin, who won three medals from 2004 Athens Olympics; gold in 100m, silver in 4x100m relays and bronze in 200m.
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No fewer than 53 international athletes were being expected from Thursday in Nairobi for the Absa Kip Keino Classic due Saturday at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
A total of 265 athletes both local and international will compete at the Absa Kip Keino Classic, the final leg of the 2021 World Athletics Continental Gold Tour on Saturday.