Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Changing of the guard


Justin Gatlin lets out a victory yell after winning the men's 100-meter dash on Saturday at the U.S. championships in Carson, Calif.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Bob Baum Associated Press

CARSON, Calif. – Justin Gatlin is unfailingly friendly with a great smile. Now the personable 23-year-old is ready to lead the powerful, young U.S. team at the world track and field championships in Helsinki.

“It’s the changing of the guard,” Gatlin said after becoming the first U.S. man in 20 years to sweep the sprints at the nationals over the weekend.

The youth takeover of the sport began last year, when the new faces, as yet untainted by any steroid scandal, salvaged the United States’ reputation at the Athens Olympics. The U.S. championships reinforced the trend, with even younger athletes such as 19-year-old Kerron Clement joining the mix just in time for the worlds from Aug. 6-14.

Clement ran the fastest 400-meter hurdles in seven years, winning on Sunday in 47.24 seconds.

“A great athlete,” said runner-up Bershawn Jackson, no old-timer himself at 22. “We’re going to have some great races for years to come.”

Gatlin has been labeled the next great U.S. sprinter since his high school days in Florida. As a freshman and sophomore at Tennessee, he swept the 100 and 200 at the NCAA championships in 2000 and 2001. Meanwhile, a positive test for amphetamines – which was in a prescribed drug he had taken for several years – banned him from international competition. He accepted the ban without a fight, and gained early reinstatement.

Gatlin politely rejects any suggestion that he has used steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs in his climb to the top, questions that often arise because he is coached by Trevor Graham, who has been associated with doping in the past.

“I know what to say ‘yes’ to and what to say ‘no’ to,” he said, adding that he wants to show young people that an athlete can succeed without cheating.

Gatlin failed to make the U.S. team for the worlds in 2003, but came back strong last year to win the Olympic gold medal in Athens. He is shown, draped in the U.S. flag, in his postrace celebration on the cover of this year’s USA Track and Field Media Guide and Annual.

Of course, the U.S. meet could have been a disaster. He was disqualified in the first round of the 100 for a false start, but gained reinstatement after a protest. Now his sights are on Asafa Powell, the young Jamaican who set the world 100 record earlier this month.

“I know he’s the guy to gun for,” Gatlin said.

The U.S. men’s team looks at least as powerful in the 200 and 400 as it was in Athens, when Americans swept the medals in both events. Olympic gold medalist Jeremy Wariner, ex-Baylor teammate Darold Williamson and Andrew Rock make up a formidable trio. Gatlin, Olympic gold medalist Shawn Crawford and Leonard Scott make up the 200 squad.

Among the women, 20-year-old Sanya Richards led three runners under 50 seconds. Nineteen-year-old Allyson Felix – Gatlin’s close friend – won the 200 and is the reigning silver medalist. Michelle Perry, who shifted from the heptathlon this season, beat Olympic gold medalist Joanna Hayes in the 100 hurdles.

A few old-timers linger. Allen Johnson ran his 10th sub-13-second 110 hurdles to win his 11th U.S. title, seventh outdoors. He not only predicts a fifth world championship in Helsinki, but believes a 1-2-3 U.S. finish is possible.

“We’re bringing the brooms,” Johnson said.

Women’s pole vault pioneer Stacy Dragila won her 17th U.S. title, and ninth outdoors. Breaux Greer, who competed in Athens despite a torn knee ligament, and is known to wear a T-shirt that reads “No, I don’t take steroids but thanks for asking,” won his sixth consecutive U.S. javelin crown.

But some big names of the past are staying home. Gail Devers isn’t competing this year. Maurice Greene pulled up with a hamstring injury in the 100 finals.

And Marion Jones never raced at all because of a hip injury.