“His Legacy Has Inspired…My Track Career”: Justin Gatlin Pays Homage to Kobe Bryant as He Announces His Retirement at 40

Published 02/12/2022, 1:32 PM EST

Alongside the legendary Usain Bolt, fierce rival Justin Gatlin also dominated the sprinting competitions. During the 2004 Athens Olympics, he won the 100-meters competition and announced his arrival on the big stage. Although there were some controversies in his career, he remains a sprinting legend. Announcing his retirement, Gatlin focused on some of the influential personalities in the world that helped him in his career. One such athlete mentioned was late NBA star, Kobe Bryant.

The legendary basketball player not only dominated the basketball courts, but was an inspiration for many athletes like Gatlin. Thus, he gave a tribute to him as bid goodbye to the sport.

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Kobe Bryant’s influence on Justin Gatlin

Undoubtedly, being an NBA champion and an Oscar winner is unheard of. But not when talking about Kobe. His famous short film documentary “Dear Basketball” is a work of art dedicated to the sport he loved and cared for. Similarly, Justin Gatlin wrote a poem titled, “Dear Track”. His poem focuses on the track competitions that molded the young boy he was into a world-class athlete. Using it to announce his retirement, he released his work on Instagram.

“His legacy has inspired from the very start of my track career. I pay homage to his works through my expression of art. “Dear Track,” is my poem expressing my love for the sport and everything it has done for me. I had the fortune of finding what I love early, it was my muse, and changed my perspective on life,” wrote Gatlin.

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A post shared by Justin Gatlin (@justingatlin)

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Gatlin retires

Back in the day, Gatlin was a mainstay in athletics. Being one of the best sprinters in the world, he is a legend in track competitions. Apart from an Olympic gold medal, he won four gold medals in the World Championships, as well as other competitions. With Kobe Bryant as an inspiration to the star athlete, Gatlin tasted immense success in his life.

Undoubtedly, Gatlin is one of the best athletes in the world. And surely, the athletics world will miss him for his performances and his charisma on the racetrack.

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Written by:

Jacob Gijy is a US Sports and NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Gijy finished his Masters in Counselling Psychology and worked in a hospital for 2 years before his passion for sports compelled him to find his way to sports journalism. A fan of the great Tim Duncan, he is always ready to pick up a debate with anyone who does not offer the center the respect he deserves.

“His Legacy Has Inspired…My Track Career”: Justin Gatlin Pays Homage to Kobe Bryant as He Announces His Retirement at 40

Kobe Bryant’s influence on Justin Gatlin

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Gatlin retires