At 43, Olympic legend Justin Gatlin declared on his platform Ready Set Go that he’s gearing up for a return, not just to compete, but to chase down records on the Masters circuit.
“I’m making an announcement right now,” Gatlin declared, steady-voiced yet charged with intent.
“I’m going to start training. We’re going to be ready for the 40-meter. We’re going to be ready for these street races against Speed. We’re going to be ready against Tyreek if he says something.”
The audacious goal was to rewrite Masters sprinting history by breaking the revered 100-meter world record of 9.87 seconds set by Charles Allie in 2020, and perhaps even eclipse Kim Collins’ celebrated 9.93-second mark from 2016.
Donovan Bailey Backs Gatlin’s Bold Mission
One of the loudest and most enthusiastic endorsements came from none other than 1996 Olympic 100-meter champion Donovan Bailey.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bailey, now 57, made it clear, age is just a number when you have the drive and the talent.
“Justin, my boy, I’m telling you, you have no major injuries. You’re still very young. You’re still in great shape. Go get it, man. Go get it,” Bailey cheered.
Bailey believes this isn’t just about personal achievement — it’s about capitalizing on a moment where track and field is evolving. In an era of social media virality and celebrity showdowns like Jake Paul’s multimillion-dollar clash with Mike Tyson, Bailey sees sprinting ready for its own renaissance.
“There might be so much exposure now, and Justin never had it, we certainly never had it, media-wise,” he noted.
With figures like Tyreek Hill, Ashton Eaton, and up-and-coming sprinters vying for attention, Bailey thinks Gatlin can lead a Masters movement that bridges elite track competition with entertainment spectacle.
“If my Achilles were still good, I’d throw my hand in the ring for sure,” Bailey admitted.
Chasing Kim Collins’ Masters Benchmark
While Allie’s 9.87 remains the official Masters world record, the more widely recognized and astonishing feat came from St. Kitts and Nevis sprinter Kim Collins, who clocked 9.93 seconds at age 40. It’s a time that has long stood as the Holy Grail for older sprinters, and one Gatlin seems determined to challenge.
On Ready Set Go, sprint coach Rodney Green hinted Gatlin could surpass Collins’ time. Gatlin’s response was vintage showman, likening himself to a superhero in waiting.
“Give me a little prep time. I’m Batman right now,” he quipped.
The camaraderie and rivalry between Collins and Gatlin adds an emotional layer to this story. Gatlin reminisced about his final race at 39 or 40, recalling Collins’ text message after he narrowly missed the record.
“Thank you so much for not breaking my record. Happy retirement.”
Can He Really Do It?
With five Olympic medals, including 100-meter gold from Athens 2004, and a career built on resilience and speed, Gatlin has defied the odds before.
The question now isn’t just whether he can break records, but whether he can outrun time itself.
Whether it’s on a traditional track or in adrenaline-charged street races, Justin Gatlin’s comeback might just redefine what’s possible for sprinters beyond 40.
