Gatlin, Olympic 100m champion in 2004 and double world champion in 2005, had been booed every time he went to his blocks in these championships, his doping past making him the cartoon villain of a troubled sport.
After his second positive test, for testosterone in 2006, he avoided a life ban after cooperating with the authorities, accepting an eight-year suspension that was then reduced to four on appeal.
That left him free to return to the track, and he was to have his revenge in spectacular style, standing tall and putting a furious finger to his lips as his win stunned the capacity crowd to initial silence.
The stadium took a little revenge of their own, chanting, "Usain Bolt! Usain Bolt!" as the result began to sink in.
But this was a deserved victory in its execution if not its formation, a last hurrah for a man that many in the sport wished no longer had the chance to compete.
Flaunt It (dub)
After his second positive test, for testosterone in 2006, he avoided a life ban after cooperating with the authorities, accepting an eight-year suspension that was then reduced to four on appeal.
That left him free to return to the track, and he was to have his revenge in spectacular style, standing tall and putting a furious finger to his lips as his win stunned the capacity crowd to initial silence.
The stadium took a little revenge of their own, chanting, "Usain Bolt! Usain Bolt!" as the result began to sink in.
But this was a deserved victory in its execution if not its formation, a last hurrah for a man that many in the sport wished no longer had the chance to compete.
Flaunt It (dub)
