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Justin Gatlin |
DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA – Former Olympic and World Champion Justin Gatlin ran through the pain on Saturday night in the first round of the 100 meters at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
The former Woodham High School standout successfully qualified for the semifinals on Sunday evening by placing second in his heat with a time of
10.31 seconds. His time was tied for 11th among all competitors in the event.
World record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica led all qualifiers with a time of 10.10 seconds. Walter Dix also qualified, recording the fifth-fastest time overall, 10.25 seconds.
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Usain Bolt |
Gatlin suffered frostbite wounds to his feet recently when he went into a cryogenic chamber for treatment after a workout. He had on wet socks at the time, and the socks immediately froze to his feet, causing the frostbite. Gatlin said his feet were getting better and that he was “90 percent healed.” But he admitted that the scabs on his feet were painful.
“I’ve got the feet taped up so every day they are getting better and better. I guess you saw the picture of what it looks like – it looks like some kind of flesh-eating virus. But I am just going to grit and bear through the pain and get to the next round.”
Gatlin, who came into the meet tied for the ninth fastest time in the world this season, was not discouraged by his time or his placing in the first round heat.
“It feels good. One thing I have learned in my career is that it is not about what you do in the first round in a championship meet . . . It’s about (getting) an automatic qualifier. I got my automatic qualifier and I’m heading to the next round. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow and tomorrow I am going to go out there and put a more complete race together and get to the finals.”
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Asafa Powell |
While Asafa Powell of Jamaica, considered to be the biggest threat to Usain Bolt’s continued dominance in the event, recently withdrew from the championships, Gatlin said the field was loaded with talent.
“It’s going to be one of the most epic world championships we’ve ever seen. No disrespect to Asafa Powell, but there’s a lot of young guys out trying to get to the top of that podium.”
Usain Bolt showed a definite flash of his 2008-09 form, as he looked to be several meters clear of the field in his heat after just 40 meters. He began shutting it down well before the finish, and had the fastest time of the day even though he jogged across the line.
The semifinals and finals will be held Sunday evening, which will be early Sunday morning in Florida, since Korea is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time.