Allyson Felix believes American team-mate Justin Gatlin, who has twice been banned for doping, shouldn’t have been singled out for jeers by London crowds at last summer’s World Championships.
The 35-year-old famously won gold in the 100m final, stealing the limelight from Usain Bolt, who came home in third, in his last-ever individual race.
After victory back in August, Gatlin beared the brunt of boos from spectators and received plenty of critics on social media – this, coming seven years after his second ban from the sport.
He also endured a frosty reception when being awarded his medals, having also took home silver in the 4x100m relay.
Speaking to Sport360° in Abu Dhabi, London 2012 Olympic 200m champion Felix, who is a participant in the US Anti-Doping Agency’s “Project Believe” program, said: “I do think it’s difficult, I think it’s unfair because there’s a lot of people who participated in those Games who had sanctions and weren’t booed.”
The 31-year-old Los Angeles star spoke to Sport360°’s Denzil Pinto at a TrainYas event at Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE capital, helping to build awareness around the Special Olympics World Games, Abu Dhabi 2019 and volunteer recruitment.
Look out for the full interview with the sprinter next week.
