Legitimizing legacy part of Gatlin's London goal

Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic 100-meter champion who missed the 2008 Olympics while serving a four-year doping ban, comes to the London Olympics with hopes of legitimizing his tarnished legacy.

At age 30, Gatlin ran the fastest 100 of his career, 9.80 seconds, to win the US Olympic trials final. His time was .05 faster than his gold medal time at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

"I think there's a lot left in the tank," Gatlin warns. But restoring his reputation after his doping ban has been an even harder run that qualifying for the London Games. "I've heard a lot of words over the past year or so - my road, redemption, my journey," Gatlin said. "I was just sticking to what I know being a fast runner, breaking it down to its simplest form and just competing.

"I have been through some dark past. What has kept me going is the faith of my fans knowing I am a legitimate athlete. AFP