Justin Gatlin
An Olympic champion who staged one of the most dramatic comebacks in track history, winning a world title at 35 after a doping ban.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American sprinter·Birthday: February 10·Millennials
Biography
Justin Gatlin's sprinting career is a narrative of meteoric rise, precipitous fall, and a long, controversial road back to the top. Emerging from Florida, he announced himself to the world by winning the 100m gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics, embodying American sprinting's next hope. That promise was derailed in 2006 when a positive test led to a four-year ban, casting a long shadow over his legacy. Many wrote him off, but Gatlin, with a relentless work ethic and a modified, powerful technique, clawed his way back. His rivalry with Usain Bolt became the defining story of the 2010s, with Gatlin playing the determined antagonist. The stunning apex came at the 2017 World Championships in London, where the 35-year-old Gatlin beat Bolt in his final individual race, a victory that was met with a chorus of boos from the crowd—a complex moment that captured the sport's divided soul. He retired as one of the most decorated and debated sprinters of his generation.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Justin was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Justin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Justin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters at the 2004 Athens Games.
- Defeated Usain Bolt to win the 100m world title at the 2017 World Championships in London.
- Secured the 100m and 200m double at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki.
- Earned a total of 12 medals across his appearances at the World Athletics Championships.
- Anchored the US team to gold in the 4x100m relay at the 2019 World Championships.
Did You Know?
He was a standout hurdler in high school before focusing solely on sprinting.
Gatlin served as a volunteer assistant coach for the University of Tennessee track team after his retirement.
His 2017 World Championship win made him the oldest ever 100m world champion.
He shares the same birthday (February 10) with fellow sprinter and rival Usain Bolt.
““I’ve served my time and I’ve done what I’ve had to do. I’m not going to let people dictate my career.””
