Usain Bolt accuses Justin Gatlin of ‘disrespect’ after US runner claims he got a free run into the Olympics
has accused sprint rival Justin Gatlin of "disrespect" for suggesting he had got a free run into the Rio Olympics.
Six-time Olympic champion Bolt won the 200m at the Anniversary Games in London on Friday clocking 19.89 seconds in his first outing over the distance this year.
He was forced to pull out of the Jamaican trials last month with a hamstring strain but was still picked for his country's Olympic squad after getting a medical exemption.
Bolt raced in London last night to prove his fitness in his last outing before defending his 100m, 200m and 4x100m crowns at the Rio Games, which kick off on August 5.
American drug cheat Gatlin who Bolt beat to win both the 100m and 200m titles at last summer's World Championships in Beijing was among those who claimed he would not have got such preferential treatment had he raced for the USA.
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The American trials have a strict system wherby only the first three athletes across the line get a place at the Games.
But Bolt said: "For me I felt it was a joke. I felt it was a disrespect they think I'd back out of a trials.
"I've proven myself year on year that I'm the greatest. I laughed when I heard it, I was disappointed, especially in ."
Gatlin, who has TWICE served doping bans and posted a world leading 9.80secs over the 100m this season, said: "He's injured, gets a medical pass, that's what his country does. Our country doesn't do that."
The fastest 200m time of the year is 19.74 by United States sprinter LaShawn Merritt, while Bolt's word record - set in 2009 - is 19.19secs.
