Justin Gatlin Pretty Upset With Gabby Thomas Over Latest Career Decisions: ”Be Silent”

“Doping coaches should be banned for life from coaching in the sport. Whether you were banned while competing as an athlete or caught distributing as a coach (for some, both). Idc idc idc.” This was up on Gabby Thomas’s story a few days back. Her warning extended to athletes as well: “If you train under a coach who is known for doping (once, twice, or even three times for some) you are complicit. That’s my stance.” Following this was a video where she explained over her ban that took place 5 years ago. Both of these made it to the Ready Set Go podcast, and Justin Gatlin did not hold back.

“Um, you know, everyone has their story, everyone has their journeys. Um, when you look at the fact of it’s the timing aspect for me, like if you said this after you won your gold in 2024, people would receive it different,” said Justin Gatlin in the latest episode of Ready Set Go, streamed on August 30th,  agreeing with Rodney’s word that there was no point in doing that. “She handled business. She doing her thing, and this is what her stance is,” Gatlin gave her that, but he had a problem with the timing of things.

“I think it would have been better for her to just to be silent right now, work through it. And if you’re frustrated, if you didn’t go out here and win the world championships, speak your mind then.” Gatlin believes that had she talked about all of this after winning the World Championships in 2025, things would have been different. He said, “But I think a lot of them are like, Wait a minute. You’re coming out making very controversial statements on your own, you know, and that’s what you stand by, which is cool. But the fact is, it makes it look like you’re taking shots at someone like a Melissa.” He discussed the fastest women of 2025, unfollowing Gabby Thomas after the statement, although he was unsure if it was true.

The track legend quoted, “And in that timing right now, Melissa beat her twice, and Melissa’s running and undefeated in the 100 meters.” In Philly Grand Slam Track, Jefferson clocked 21.99s while Thomas was second in 22.10s. This was repeated in the USA championships, where Gabby only slipped a number down, finishing third in 22.20, behind Anavia Battle (22.13) and Melissa (21.84). The 100 and 200m national champion is also undefeated in the 100m and has only lost one race in the 200m.

What Gatlin thinks is that Gabby’s statement has been a shot at Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. “So, it makes it look like the fact of what you said reverse back to Melissa and her group and everything of that of that nature. And I feel like you should have took a stance when you had the opportunity and you hold the golden coin in your hand. Right now, you don’t hold that golden coin,” he said. The golden coin moment would have been a year ago when she claimed 3 golds in Paris.

He means that it would make more sense for Gabby to express her frustrations after the season ends, after the World Championships. Because then her comments would be seen as a reflection on her performance and circumstances. While one Olympian is criticizing her, another supported her as well.

Gabby Thomas receives support from an Olympian

When asked whether a coach should face consequences if an athlete tests positive for a banned substance, Nigerian-American triple jumper and Olympian Olumide Olamigoke fully agreed with Thomas, saying, “I’m inclined to agree.” He emphasized that while athletes are primarily responsible for what goes into their bodies, coaches shouldn’t be excused. Exactly what Gabby said.

“If you are a coach, and the coach-athlete relationship is such an intimate situation, of course we, as athletes, are responsible. We need to be responsible for what goes into our body, what we’re eating, and all these different things. But especially when you have younger and impressionable athletes—I will say this: impressionability goes beyond age. You don’t have to be young to be impressionable,” he explained.

Olamigoke further stated that when impressionable athletes trust their coaches and those coaches manipulate situations to gain recognition at the athletes’ expense, it is a serious issue. “I wholeheartedly agree. I believe if you are a coach proliferating that, then you should get punished too,” he said. Although Gatlin never disagreed with the message that Gabby Thomas wanted to send out, his message to her was pretty solid; even the right thing said at the wrong time can lead to adverse situations.