Gatlin supports the Dutch
2006-06-22 08:24
Indianapolis - On the eve of the US athletics championships, sprint star Justin Gatlin was sporting an orange replica jersey of the Netherlands' football team.
"I'm supporting the World Cup," Gatlin, co-holder of the 100m world record, said on Wednesday. "Without the World Cup, a lot of people look past soccer - like they do track and field until the Olympics come around."
Gatlin is carefully following this year's matches and said defending champions Brazil is his favourite team.
So why is he sporting Dutch forward Ruud van Nistelrooy's number nine?
"It's a Nike shirt," replied Gatlin with a sheepish grin. Like the Netherlands football team, Gatlin has a contract with the American shoe company.
Unlike Brazilian footballers Ronaldo and Cafu, Gatlin has no plans to switch to just one name.
"Not yet," he said. "There're too many Justin's out there."
Gatlin's time of 9.77 seconds, for the 100m last month tied the world mark by Jamaica's Asafa Powell, and the American responded glibly to questions about his chief rival.
"What do I think of Asafa?" joked Gatlin. "I think I get asked that question too much."
- AFP