Cathal Dennehy: Athletics should know better than lauding Justin Gatlin as a legend

There was something deeply unsettling about seeing Gatlin trackside in the VIP area at athletics' newest event. 

Justin Gatlin has twice served doping bans. During last weekend's Grand Slam Track event in Kingston, he was described as a "legend". Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Justin Gatlin is many things. These days, the 43-year-old is a co-host of a popular podcast in athletics, offering interesting, insightful analysis on the world’s best sprinters. He’s a former Olympic and world champion, and the fifth-fastest man in history over 100 metres. He’s a father, an author, an in-demand public speaker who gives talks to athletes, business leaders, students and community organisations.

But another thing he is? A drug cheat, one who’s twice been banned from athletics. As a result, one thing I’d definitely not call him is a “legend” of the sport or “track majesty”, which is how he was described last week in social media posts by Grand Slam Track, the new professional circuit co-founded by Michael Johnson.