"I don't think there is a problem with credibility in track and field," the American (pictured top), who has returned to the sport after serving two doping suspensions, said ahead of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Diamond League meeting tomorrow.

Earlier in a series of press conferences, Jamaica's double Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – a training partner of Powell's – and Carmelita Jeter, the world 100m champion from the United States – walked out after questions about doping were raised by the press.

Their respective managers had told officials they would not answer doping questions but would only talk about their impending competition.

Gatlin, after a long discussion involving his own manager, did take part in his conference and answered all questions posed to him.

Asked about his reaction upon hearing of the news about his US teammate Gay and Powell, he responded: "I really had no reaction.

"I believe in focusing on getting healthy again, getting ready for the World Championships.

"I just want to focus on myself.

"My situation was over half a decade ago.

"I've come back.

"I haven't read about Gay and Powell.

"Right now there's one big man [Usain Bolt] and he's on top of the pole.

"I wish the best for Tyson.

"But his case has not even come to trial and I am not going to stand in judgement on him."


Asked if he had any advice he could offer in the circumstances, he added: "The hardest thing is getting back into shape.

"When I came back I was 20lb overweight and I felt like I was running with a bag of rocks on my back."

Gatlin concluded: "I feel like I am the number one in world sprinting now.

"The defending champion [Yohan Blake] will not be in Moscow, and the previous champion [Bolt] I beat in Rome this year."

Gatlin's US teammate Brigetta Barrett, the Olympic high jump silver medallist, commented that she had been "shocked" to learn of the latest doping positives, but added that she felt more needed to be done to support athletes and prevent them from coming under undue pressure from sponsors.

"Yes, you are always shocked about the news when your quote-unquote heroes are fallen," she said.

"But you ask why did this have to happen so hugely now, across the board in various countries?

"Especially for the sport of track and field and how that will affect young people.

"We are still trying to figure out the truth of it.

"We are all athletes, I wish the sport could be structured differently.

"It is a lack of space to get better that causes possible desperation for someone.

"This is my legacy, don't want to lose it.

"My heart and prayers go out to anyone having to deal with a positive test.

"I think the IAAF should open up the sport for more sponsors, like they do in NASCAR racing, so athletes can be more really freely sponsored.

"The problem would not be so much then of 'dying to make a living'.

"Unless you are here in Europe you barely get thank you or hello or handshake for what you do.

"Instead, what the IAAF should do is figure out how to support a lot more to the people who are making these decisions.

Sally Pearson, Australia's Olympic 100m hurdles champion, added: "It's disappointing that these things happen, but at the same time it shows the doping authorities are on top of the athletes.

"We like to compete fairly and cleanly.

"We know these athletes personally and it can be difficult.

"But all we can do is keep working hard and be really diligent about what we put into our body and who we trust."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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