KINGSTON, January 14
USA embattled athelte, Justin Gatlin who plans to return to the track this July "will find it difficult to get back on track when he competes this year," says Maurice Greene.
"What he left in track has changed and so he may want to consider his options. The sport has changed so much in the last four years. I wish him the best of luck," noted Greene
Gatlin who served a four year ban for testing for a positive substance has issued a warning to the top three sprinters in the 100 and 200 metres sprint saying he wants to reclaim his position at the top. Gatlin's best time in the 100 metres is 9.85 seconds.
Greene sat in with journalists on Thursday in Kignston and spoke openly about the status and future of the sport. On Asafa Powell, Greene insisted "Asafa can only get it right if he gets mentally tough." He commended Asafa for his technique, noting that he comes the closest to running a perfectly technical 100 metres.
He also thinks his countrywoman Carmelita Jeter, has a mental flaw and needs to develop that area to win gold in a major championship.
On the future of USA dominance in sprint, Greene thinks it will take some five to six years for the USA to return to glory, citing Jamaica as the 'leader' in sprinting in the world.
He argues that the USA/Jamaica clash could only benefit the sport, although admitting that the Jamaicans are already beating the USA and the rest of the world.
Greene is in Jamaica along with Bahamian Olympian, Tonique Williams Darling as guests of the organisers of the Douglas Forrest Invitational, scheduled for the National Stadium this Saturday.
Greene and Darling (who arrived on Thursday evening) also attended the RJR Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus where Usain Bolt and Brigitte Foster Hylton walked away with the top prizes.
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