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Spearmon has given a hilarious account of Team USA's prepartions for the 4 by 100 meter relay at the World Championships in Beijing, including a memorable comment by Justin Gatlin he has 'never forgotten'.
Former U.S. sprinter Wallace Spearmon recently provided a comedic glimpse into Team USA's 4x100 meter relay practice at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing.
Speaking on Justin Gatlin’s Ready Set Go Podcast, Spearmon recounted the team’s baton struggles and an unforgettable moment when Gatlin inadvertently "body-shamed" him during practice.
Spearmon, a two-time NCAA champion in the 200m and a 2005 World Championships silver medalist, shared insights on Team USA’s journey at the Beijing competition.
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07:10 - 22.06.2024
Former American sprinter Wallace Spearmon shares humorous encounters that strengthened his bond with Usain Bolt
Spearman is good friends with Usain Bolt; they are known for their jokes and good friendship, which has prompted the American to share some funny encounters racing the Jamaican legend.
During the championships, the U.S. men's 4x100m relay team initially won silver behind Jamaica but was later disqualified due to a botched baton exchange between Tyson Gay and Mike Rodgers.
Despite a strong start by Trayvon Bromell and Gatlin, the team’s hopes were dashed as Gay and Rodgers mishandled the final exchange.
Originally, Spearmon was slated to run the back straight leg in the preliminary rounds, but an Achilles injury forced him to withdraw.
Gatlin took over Spearmon’s leg, setting up the stage for a memorable relay practice moment.
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06:00 - 28.06.2024
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Recalling this on the podcast, Spearmon described his humorous grudge against Gatlin, saying, “I got beef with Justin Gatlin. He don’t even know it, but 76 times, nobody has said my name and I am like, ‘okay, no problem,’ but they are like, Christian Coleman will go first, Justin Gatlin will go second... and I’m like okay, cool.”
Spearmon’s frustration resurfaced during practice, where the two struggled with their timing and handoffs.
"I tear my Achilles in the warmup... I am doing handoffs and I do not remember who ran third but we could not get the handoff, and I was like, ‘I gotta back up, I can’t get to 40 and get the full speed cause you keep speeding up to the zone.’”
But it was Gatlin’s next remark that really stuck with Spearmon. “[Gatlin] walks over and he’s like, ‘Bro, two things: number one, stay on your side of the lane.’ I’m like, ‘Dude, what do you mean?’ He was like, ‘Dude, you kind of big.’ I have never forgotten that my whole life. This n***a just called me fat!”
Spearmon’s playful jab at Gatlin and the story of their unforgettable relay training session has added a humorous chapter to Team USA’s relay misadventures—a story of highs, lows, and an unexpected nickname that still makes Spearmon chuckle to this day.
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