Usain Bolt says he was shocked by jeers directed at Justin Gatlin

EVEN Usain Bolt was left speechless by the jeers directed at Justin Gatlin ahead of the 100m final. The American says he’s served his time, so is it time we move on?

USA's Justin Gatlin holds up his national flag as he celebrates after coming in second in the Men's 100m Final during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 14, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS

USAIN Bolt said he was lost for words.

He’d lined up next to Justin Gatlin many times before and was used to the American getting the odd jeer from the crowd.

The reasoning is twofold.

Gatlin is a two-time drug cheat and in the current environment where the sport is going through its biggest doping scandal ever, this history puts him in the gun.

Plus the world loves Bolt so anyone who challenges him, they don’t like.

But what happened before the 100m final was the loudest and most hostile reception Gatlin has ever received.

It was almost uncomfortable and that’s how Bolt felt.

“I was pretty shocked about it,” he said. “It’s the first time I have ever seen it happen.”

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Usain Bolt defeats Justin Gatlin. Photo: AFP PHOTO/ ERIC FEFERBERG

So is it warranted?

Gatlin’s argument is that he’s served his time. His first ban was at the age of 19 for using amphetamines, although it was deemed he didn’t use them for doping but to treat attention deficit disorder.

The second came for excessive testosterone in 2006 and resulted in an eight-year ban that was then reduced on appeal to four years.

Since his return five years ago, the 2004 Olympic 100m champion has been target tested and come up clean every time.

“My issue was over a decade ago ... I understand people want to see a rivalry between me and Usain. He’s a competitor and I’m a competitor,” Gatlin said after Sunday night’s final.

“We have both worked hard and we both want to win ... I thought I would get more respect from the audience.”

He is in the camp that everyone deserves a second chance — albeit this is his third — and Bolt hasn’t had a problem with him since his return.

In fact the three-time Olympic champion has more of an issue with Gatlin’s teammate Tyson Gay.

Usain Bolt was given a warm reception by the crowd. Photo: Harry How/Getty Images

He looked up to Gay and enjoyed their rivalry when he started his period of world domination in 2008.

When Gay tested positive in 2013, Bolt took it personally and the pair no longer speak.

With Bolt most likely sticking around for next year’s world championships in London, can 34-year-old Gatlin hang in there to get one last title?

That was probably the plan coming into Rio but next to him on the dais on Sunday was Andre de Grasse, a 21-year-old from Canada.

He is the future and it might be time for Gatlin and his chequered past to bid farewell.

Originally published as Usain Bolt says he was shocked by jeers directed at Justin Gatlin