Gatlin goes Pro?

DougC wrote:

Ritalin... interesting that a sprinter was taking what basically amounts to "speed".

And you do know that speed would certainly not help anyone's running, right?

Nothing like getting that heart pumping like crazy before you even do a warm up jog!

Actually, sprinters are also subjected to possible difficulty with coaching changes.

calbear wrote:

I don't think that the "full year to adjust to a new training regimen/situation" is as necessary for sprinters as it is for field eventers and may be even distance runners. I don't think Trevor Graham will have a year's worth of tweaking to do on Mr. Gatlin. Now, adjusting to a new pharmacist may be a different story...

Six-time NCAA champion Justin Gatlin signed a professional contract Saturday and will skip his final two seasons of collegiate track, head coach Bill Webb announced Thursday. Gatlin's collegiate eligibility terminates with the signing of the contract.

"Justin has been a terrific competitor for us," Webb said. "He is one of the greatest athletes ever in the NCAA. Justin's been a key component of our two most recent NCAA and conference championship teams [2001 NCAA Outdoor, 2002 NCAA Indoor and 2001 and 2002 Southeastern Conference Outdoor titles]. We wish him the very best with his future endeavors."

Gatlin's two seasons at the University of Tennessee pushed him into the pantheon of all-time great collegiate champions. The Pensacola, Fla., native won six consecutive NCAA sprint titles dating back to spring 2001, the most ever by a Vol. He won the NCAA outdoor 100M and 200M dash titles in consecutive years, the first man to accomplish the feat since Abilene Christian's Bobby Morrow in 1956-57. Gatlin at least tied for NCAA high-scorer honors in the last three NCAA meets. Most recently, Gatlin went undefeated in every sprint race -- both indoor and outdoor -- he entered in 2002. He was named Track & Field News Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year and SEC Male Track Athlete of the Year in 2002.

JUSTIN GATLIN STATEMENT

"It's been a very good two years. I know I wouldn't be where I am today if I had attended another university. I had a lot of positive role models on and off the track. I just hope that Tennessee has as much love and support for me as I do for the university. I feel that I'm not saying goodbye, but just stepping to the next level of track and field. I want to be a spokesperson for the university. I'd like to thank Coach [Vince] Anderson [assistant coach in charge of sprinting] for everything he's done. He's still an inspiration. I'd like to thank my teammates for the support they've given me during this decision. They'll always be my teammates and friends. I love them all."

my impression is that it acts more as a downer, but i would not be the person to ask.