Justin Gatlin’s father flays world championship crowd in London for booing son
‘He never committed a crime’ says Willie after American sprinter, who served two suspensions for doping offences, picks up his 100m gold medal at the world championships
Justin Gatlin’s father has asked the fans to lay off his son after the 35-year-old was booed inside the London Stadium while accepting his 100 metres world championships gold medal.
American Gatlin, who has served two suspensions for doping offences, ruined Usain Bolt’s farewell on Saturday by beating the Jamaican sprinter in his final individual race.
“He is very strong and can deal with it. Only here. He only gets it here,” Willie Gatlin told The Times.
“The people booing need to read the reports. He has never committed a crime. They need to go and look at what was said.”
Willie said Justin had been fully rehabilitated in the US and that he could be a role model for children.
“He gets invited into schools all the time and does lots of talks,” he said.