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World champion American sprinter who medaled in Olympics joins competition allowing steroid use

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 18:35 GMT by Fox News
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World Champion American Sprinter, Olympic Gold Medalist, Joins Doping‑Friendly Track League

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the athletics world, former world‑champion sprinter Justin Gatlin—the 200‑meter Olympic gold medalist and the last American to win the world title in that event—has signed with a brand‑new global track league that openly permits the use of performance‑enhancing drugs. The league, which has been billed as a “revolutionary” alternative to the traditional track circuit, offers athletes the freedom to use steroids, anabolic agents, and other prohibited substances without the fear of sanctions.

The announcement, made in an interview with the Fox News Sports team on Thursday, comes after the league’s founders released a press statement last week that outlined their vision for a “reimagined” sprinting competition. The league will host 24 meets across the globe over the next two years, featuring ten elite athletes per event, and will be broadcast on major sports networks and streaming platforms. Unlike the World Athletics circuit, the new league has no relationship with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) or the United States Anti‑Doping Agency (USADA), and its rules explicitly allow “any legally prescribed or medically necessary anabolic agents” and “controlled‑release steroid products.”

Justin Gatlin: A Storied Career and a Controversial Past

Gatlin’s name is synonymous with both triumph and infamy. He first burst onto the world stage in 2004 when he won gold in the 200‑meter race at the Athens Olympics, becoming the first American to do so in 15 years. That same year he captured the world title in the 200‑meter event, cementing his place among the sport’s elite. Over the course of his career, Gatlin has earned three Olympic medals (gold in 2004, silver in 2012, and bronze in 2016) and two world championships (2004 and 2015).

However, Gatlin’s career has also been marred by doping violations. In 2010, he received a four‑year ban after testing positive for an anabolic steroid. In 2017, he was again suspended for a year following a second positive test. Despite these setbacks, Gatlin has remained a highly competitive athlete, making a dramatic return to the 100‑meter and 200‑meter fields in 2019 and continuing to set personal bests in his mid‑30s.

When asked about his decision to join the league, Gatlin said, “I’ve been told a lot of things about my past. I’m not going to lie—there were mistakes. But I’ve learned from them. I want to compete, and I want to be part of something that’s honest about what it takes to win.” He added that the league’s “open approach” is not about normalizing doping, but about acknowledging that the modern athlete is a complex organism and that regulations should keep pace with science.

The League’s Controversial Structure

The league’s structure is designed to maximize spectacle. Each meet will feature a head‑to‑head format, with athletes competing in 100‑meter, 200‑meter, and 400‑meter races, as well as a relay competition. Points will be awarded based on finishing positions, and the top four teams will advance to a grand finale. The league’s marketing team claims that by allowing athletes to take steroids, they can run faster and bring “pure performance” to the fans.

Critics, however, are quick to call the league “a dangerous step backward.” The U.S. Track & Field Coaches Association issued a statement calling the league a “public health risk” and urging athletes to consider the long‑term consequences of steroid use. A spokesperson for USADA said that the agency will “continue to investigate and sanction athletes who participate in any league that does not adhere to anti‑doping standards.”

The league’s spokesperson countered that “the decision to join is entirely up to the athlete.” He added that the league will provide full medical support, “including regular health screenings and drug testing, to ensure athletes’ safety.”

Other Notable Signings

While Gatlin is the most high‑profile sign‑up, the league has already attracted other well‑known names. Christian Coleman, the 100‑meter world champion in 2019 and 2018 Olympic bronze medalist, has reportedly signed a multi‑year deal. Former world‑record holder Usain Bolt has been rumored to be in talks, though no official announcement has been made. A statement from the league’s executive director says that “the sign‑up list will keep growing as we talk to athletes around the world.”

The Broader Implications for Track and Field

The introduction of a league that allows steroids poses a profound question: will it ultimately erode the integrity of the sport? For many, the answer is a stark “yes.” In the 2013 “World Athletics” anti‑doping case, the IAAF’s own investigation into the “Russian doping programme” revealed that the world’s leading athletes had been “coached, coached, and trained” in an environment where steroids were the norm. Yet, the sport’s governing bodies have insisted on strict testing and punishment for violations.

“Letting athletes use steroids is basically the same as saying that we’ll accept cheating in a school test,” said Dr. Lisa Martinez, a professor of sports ethics at the University of Kentucky. “If we don’t act now, we’ll lose the public’s trust.”

Others argue that an open‑policy league could, in fact, bring more transparency to doping. “People don’t need to hide their use of performance‑enhancing drugs,” said a former professional sprinter who asked to remain anonymous. “If we’re going to allow them, we should do it in a way that is regulated, monitored, and open.”

What Comes Next

The league will hold its first meet in June in Atlanta, Georgia, where Gatlin is expected to headline. The event will be live‑streamed on a new platform called “SprintX.” While the league promises a “new era” of sprinting, its long‑term viability remains uncertain. For now, the athletics community will watch closely to see whether the sport can reconcile its love for speed with the hard reality of drug‑enhanced performance.

For athletes like Justin Gatlin, the decision to join a steroid‑friendly league may feel like a personal rebellion against a system that has tried to shame them for their past mistakes. For fans, the prospect of watching record‑breaking times on the track comes with a sobering reminder of the cost of those records. Whether the league can thrive, or will ultimately be shut down by governing bodies, remains to be seen. In any case, the conversation it has sparked is one that will reverberate across the world of athletics for years to come.