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Fast and furious

Drugs cheat Justin Gatlin left out of athlete of year shortlist despite winning 100m gold at World Championships

The American shocked the world when he beat the Jamaican legend at the World Champs but was booed as he celebrated the win. Mo Farah makes the shortlist- should he win it would be the first time GBR has won since 1995.

Jason Gatlin poses with the American flag after beating Bolt in the 100m final at the IAAF World Championships in London

JUSTIN GATLIN who pipped Usain Bolt to gold at the World Championships in London this summer has been omitted from the IAAF World athlete of the year shortlist.

Gatlin's career has been marred by scandal as he was found to have tested positive for drugs twice in his career, in both 2001 and 2006.

Justin Gatlin beat Usain Bolt in his swansong race, but was not received well by the London crowd
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Justin Gatlin beat Usain Bolt in his swansong race, but was not received well by the London crowdCredit: Rex Features
Jason Gatlin dips over the line ahead of Christian Coleman and Usain Bolt
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Jason Gatlin dips over the line ahead of Christian Coleman and Usain BoltCredit: EPA

His omission from the list is due to IAAF rules that exclude anyone from the list that has been sanctioned for a serious doping offence.

At 35, Gatlin is the oldest athlete to become the World Champion in the 100m sprint, but he was not welcomed by the crowd at the London stadium.

He was booed by thousands of athletics fans during his race and medal ceremony, which was moved forward on the evening from the prime time 8pm slot to 6.50pm, and tried to silence the crowd's boos.

Whereas Bolt was cheered and lapped up the attention during his final medal ceremony where he was awarded bronze.

Gatlin initially beat Bolt in 2013 at an athletics meet in Rome and last won the World Champions in Helsinki 12 years ago.

The World Championships was marred with scandal, after Isaac Makwala of Botswana was banned from competing because he had suspected Noroviurs, but was then allowed to compete his 200m heat alone.

Jason Gatlin celebrates winning gold at IAAF World Championships in London, clocking a time of 9.92 seconds
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Jason Gatlin celebrates winning gold at IAAF World Championships in London, clocking a time of 9.92 secondsCredit: AFP or licensors
Jason Gatlin did acknowledge Bolt's career achievements and bowed down to the legend after beating him in the 100m final
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Jason Gatlin did acknowledge Bolt's career achievements and bowed down to the legend after beating him in the finalCredit: AP:Associated Press

Queen of athletics, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill was re-allocated her medal and took to the podium during the Championships to receive a gold medal.

The medal was from the 2011 World champs where she was robbed of first place by Russian drugs cheat Tatyana Chernova.

Similarly, Jo Pavey and Christine Ohuruougu were awarded medals that they too had been beaten to by Russian athletes that were found to have participated in the national doping scandal.

Jessica Ennis-Hill returned to the London stadium to be presented with the gold medal that she was robbed of, by Tatyana Chernova who was found to be a drugs cheat
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Jessica Ennis-Hill returned to the London stadium to be presented with the gold medal that she was robbed of, by Tatyana Chernova who was found to be a drugs cheatCredit: AP:Associated Press

Mo Farah represents GB in the shortlist and is one of three runners selected across the track and field shortlist.

The golden-boy won gold in the 10,000m and silver in the 5,000m during the athletics event and competed to rapturous applause from around the London stadium.

If he were to win the prestigious award he would be the first Brit to win since 1995, when triple-jumper Jonathon Edwards won.

Mo Farah celebrates with his trademark 'mobot' after winning gold in the men's 10,000m final at the London stadium in August
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Mo Farah celebrates with his trademark 'mobot' after winning gold in the men's 10,000m final at the London stadium in AugustCredit: PA:Press Association

Male athlete shortlist

Mutaz Essa Barshim QAT (high jump)
Pawel Fajdek POL (hammer throw)

Mohamed Farah GBR (5,000m/10,000m runner)
Sam Kendricks USA (Polevault)
Elijah Manangoi ETH (1500m runner)

Luvo Manyonga RSA (long jump)
Omar McLeod JAM (110m hurdler)
Christian Taylor USA (triple jump)

Wayde Van Niekerk RSA (200m/400m runner)
Johannes Vetter GER (javelin)

Female athlete shortlist

Almaz Ayana ETH (long-distance runner)
Maria Lasitskene ANA (high jumper)

Hellen Obiri KEN (5,000m runner)
Sally Pearson AUS (100m hurdles)
Sandra Perkovic CRO (discus)

Brittney Reese USA (long jump)
Caster Semenya RSA (800m runner)
Ekaterini Stefanidi GRE (pole vault)

Nafissatou Thiam BEL (heptathlon)
Anita Wlodarczyk POL (hammer throw)

 

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