JUSTIN GATLIN asked why is he the “bad boy” after again being met with a chorus of boos as he collected his World 100 metres gold medal.
The American – who has TWICE been banned for doping – stunned the athletics world when he denied retiring sprint legend Usain Bolt his fairytale finale on Saturday night.
Gatlin, 35, was jeered as he beat compatriot Christian Coleman and third-placed Bolt across the line at the London Stadium.
And event organisers attempted to reduce the potential protest the crowd could make by moving the presentation to an earlier time, when spectators would still be taking their seats.
That did not stop the three-quarters full arena from roundly booing the controversial world champion as he climbed to the top step of the podium.
Yet it mattered little to Gatlin, who was left wondering exactly what he had done wrong.
Speaking after the ceremony he said: “What do I do that makes me the bad boy?”
“Do I talk bad to anybody, do I give bad gestures? I don’t.
“I congratulate every athlete, shake their hand – that doesn’t sound like a trait of a bad boy.
“It sounds like the media wants to sensationalise and make me the bad boy because Usain’s a hero. I know you guys have a black hat and a white hat, but c’mon.
“It’s kinda sad that my boos were louder than other people’s cheers.
“I’ve served my time and done community service. I’ve talked to kids and inspired them to walk the right path. That’s all I can do.
“Society does that with people who make mistakes and I hope that track and field does that too.”
Bolt lapped up the adoration of the London crowd as he was given a standing ovation and posed for the fans before being presented with his bronze medal for his final individual race.
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist's announcement was greeted with a huge roar that lasted almost a minute as he acknowledged all four corners of the stadium.
And the Jamaican insisted Gatlin deserves his moment in the limelight - despite his chequered past.
Bolt said: “I always respected him as a competitor. He’s one of the best I have faced.
“For me he deserves to be here, he’s done his time and he’s worked hard to get back to being one of the best athletes.
"He’s run fast times, he’s back and he’s doing great. I look at him like any other athlete, as a competitor.”
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