Drugs cheat Justin Gatlin inflicted a rare defeat on Usain Bolt in the 100m race at the Rome Diamond League. The American finished in 9.94secs, one hundredth second ahead of the 25-year-old.
The Olympic champion admitted that he stumbled after making the perfect start and could not catch up with Gatlin, who ended in third position at London 2012.
Bolt has not lost in a Diamond League 100m event, since he was beaten by Tyson Gay in Stockholm in 2010, but he has vowed to be well prepared for the World Championships in Moscow in August.
“The one-offs are never for me. It’s all about the World Championships. I’ve got two months to get it right,” the Jamaican said.
“You learn more from losing. You can’t win every race in your career, I’ve learned that.
“For me Rio will be biggest Games of my life. That’s where I’m going to make history if possible (by becoming) the three times Olympic (100m and 200m) champion, which has never been done. I want to go out there for my legend status.
“For me, it’s just going through the season and putting things together for the World Championships. The season is still very early. I am not surprised. I have time – I’m not worried.”
Gatlin, who has twice tested positive for drugs and served a four-year ban, won in 9.94 seconds, with Bolt a hundredth of a second behind.
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