Justin Gatlin defends himself against Olympic criticism: 'The time has been served'
Even Justin Gatlinâs eyes are on Justin Gatlin at the 2016 Summer Olympics. (Getty Images)
 As we inch closer to track and field competition at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Justin Gatlin has come under fire following recent remarks by Team USA swimmer Lilly King about the inclusion of athletes who have violated the anti-doping policy, and now the American sprinter is responding.
Following the womenâs 100-meter breaststroke semifinals on Sunday, King called out Russian rival Yulia Efimova for âdrug cheating.â Efimova had previously served a 16-month suspension for doping. The following night, when King defeated Efimova in the gold-medal race, the 19-year-old doubled down, calling out all athletes who have taken banned substances in their past, including Gatlin.
âI have to respect (the track authoritiesâ) decision even if it is something I donât necessarily agree with,â King said. âNo, do I think people who have been caught doping should be on the team? They shouldnât. It is unfortunate we have to see that.
âIt is just something that needs to be set in stone that this is what we are going to do. Letâs settle this and be done with it. There should not be any bouncing back and forwards.â
Gatlin was twice suspended for doping, in 2001 and 2006, although the earlier ban for amphetamines was lifted on an appeal over medicine he was taking for diagnosed attention deficit disorder. He later served a four-year suspension after testing positive for excessive testosterone levels in 2006. Now 34 years old, Gatlin is the oldest American sprinter to qualify for the Olympics since 1912.
âAt the end of the day, the time has been served,â he told the Associated Press. âIâve served that time. Iâve dealt with that punishment. Iâve moved forward.â
He added, âIâve worked hard, all the way from the bottom when I had nothing. I worked hard to work back to where Iâm at now. I donât understand. The system has worked. I think people need to stop looking at trying to be the judge, the jury and executioner and let the system do its job.â
Aside from King, Gatlin has received a warm welcome from other U.S. Olympic teammates in the athletesâ village, he told the AP. Count American golfer Bubba Watson among those defending Gatlin.
âWho cares about the past?â Watson told Time. âI mean, weâve all had issues. People write negative things about me that arenât true. ⊠What he did, true or not, I donât care about that. Heâs changed.â
Gatlinâs much-anticipated 100-meter dash meeting with two-time defending Olympic champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica is scheduled for Saturday, followed by the 200 on Tuesday and 4Ă100 relay on Aug. 18. Gatlin captured gold in the 100 at the 2004 Athens Olympics and bronze at the 2012 London Olympics.