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CAPE TOWN. – World champion, Justin Gatlin – who owns three world sprint titles including an Olympic title – has joined the list of world class athletes who will be competing at the much-awaited Athletix Grand Prix Series in South Africa in March. Gatlin, the 2017 World 100m Champion and the fifth fastest ever human being in the 100m and 200m, will line up in the men’s 150m race at Tuks Stadium (Tshwane) on March 8 in the second of the three series meetings. He is the biggest name to compete on South African soil since Michael Johnson in 2001 and is a massive boost to South African athletics.

His presence shows once again how far the sport has come and that global champions are again seeing South Africa as a top global player. The 35-year-old has astoundingly never run a competitive 150m so this will be a new experience for both him and for South Africans alike.

“I have obviously done 150’s in training, but have never raced over that distance before. It will be interesting to see how I do. It is also my first race of the season which adds to the excitement for me,” said Gatlin.

The USA star spoilt the retirement party of Usain Bolt in 2017 when he dipped countryman Christian Coleman and Bolt, to win his first global title since 2005, testimony to the longevity of his career. – Sport24