20 July,2015 07:25 AM IST | | AFP
Justin Gatlin (33) heads off for three weeks of rest and recuperation knowing he is the circuit's No 1 sprinter and vowing to come back 'blazing' at next month's world championships in Beijing
USA's Justin Gatlin takes a selfie with fans after winning the 100m gold at the IAAF Diamond League meet in Monaco on Saturday
Monaco: Justin Gatlin (33) heads off for three weeks of rest and recuperation knowing he is the circuit's No 1 sprinter and vowing to come back 'blazing' at next month's world championships in Beijing.
USA's Justin Gatlin takes a selfie with fans after winning the 100m gold at the IAAF Diamond League meet in Monaco on Saturday. Pic/AFP
The American is now unbeaten since August 2013 and with doubts over Jamaican Usain Bolt's fitness after a pelvic problem, Gatlin has been installed as firm favourite to star in the Chinese capital.
"The good thing is that I now have three weeks of rest at home to make sure I have the opportunity to work on my race and run faster when I come back and race in Beijing," said Gatlin, who clocked 9.78 seconds to win the 100m event at Monaco's Diamond League meet on Saturday.
It was Gatlin's fourth race this season under 9.80sec as he targets Tyson Gay's American record of 9.69sec, the third fastest time ever run behind Bolt.
"I can now go home, study all my season's races, see exactly where my flaws are, where I can get stronger, get my rest for three weeks and come out blazing in Beijing. Hopefully, the 9.7sec will be my standard," said the 2004 Olympic gold medallist, who has served two doping bans.
