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Justin Gatlin: 'I don't think Usain Bolt is avoiding me'

American sprinter Justin Gatlin reveals that he doesn't think rival Usain Bolt is avoiding him ahead of the World Athletics Championships.

Justin Gatlin has predicted that rival Usain Bolt will be fully fit for the World Athletics Championships next month.

Bolt, the world and Olympic 100m and 200m champion, has struggled with injury this year and is yet to face main rival Gatlin, but the American has insisted that he does not believe that the sport's biggest name is avoiding him.

The 33-year-old told reporters: "Do I think he is deliberately avoiding me? I don't think so. I think he is a great showman, he's the kind of guy that will wait until when its right and hopefully Beijing and the 100m finals or the 200m will be the right time for us to put on a spectacular show.

"I believe that he will be fit, he is the kind of guy who can show up on the day. He has said that he is not worried about off years or one-off races, he is worried about winning the gold and so you have to definitely pay attention that he is coming for the gold medal."

Gatlin has run the fastest times this year in both the 100m and 200m.

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Justin Gatlin of the US gestures after he won gold in the men's 100m final, 22 August 2004
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