American sprinter Justin Gatlin was asked on Friday, in the lead-up to his appearance at the Prefontaine Classic, how he’s still able, at 33, to post world-leading marks. Gatlin was quick to respond: “Because I have teammates like Isiah Young.”
Young and the rest of the field pushed Gatlin to a victory in the 200 meters with a time of 19.68 seconds, matching his personal best.
“I just wanted to be able to dominate coming off the turn and hold my form coming home,” Gatlin said.
It’s the latest in a string of strong performances. On May 15, Gatlin ran a 9.74 in the 100 meters – the fastest time in the world this year.
Anaso Jobodwana of South Africa and Nickel Ashmeade of Jamaica followed in 20.04 and 20.18, respectively. Right behind them was Young, finishing fourth in 20.24.
“He’s right on my shoulder all the time,” Gatlin said.
Young, who finished second at the Golden Spike meet on Tuesday in 20.35, was a late entrant for the Pre. Despite being slotted in lane two, which he said makes you push harder for position, Young posted a faster time on just three days rest.
“It felt good,” Young said. “Got a little more work to do.”
Gatlin continued to make note of Young when talking about his strides in the 200 meters.
“He comes to practice every day ready,” Gatlin said. “He doesn’t look at me as a threat. He knows to go out there and be the best you got to beat the best.”
Gatlin said there are times when Young has beaten him in practice, and that Young is starting to become a more consistent runner again. Young’s personal best of 19.86 was set in 2013, but he fell off course drastically in 2014, normally posting times of 21 or higher.
“Last year, I didn’t come anywhere close to running times like this,” Young said.
So, it’s clear the benefits have worked both ways.
“Having him as a teammate, someone to learn from, is a great advantage for me,” Young said.
As Gatlin said, “a lot of people forgot” what Young could do.
Young and Gatlin will now prepare for U.S. nationals at Hayward in June. That’s a step on the way to worlds in Bejing, of which Gatlin told NBC’s Lewis Johnson, “It’s going to be a real rumble in the jungle” between him and Jamaica’s Usain Bolt. Gatlin’s time in the 200 meters is one Bolt hasn’t ran in two years.
As for Young, he wants to medal. And whether it happens this year or next, Gatlin knows Young will be one of the better sprinters when he leaves the sport behind.
“He’ll definitely be one of the best sprinters after I leave track and field,” Gatlin said.
