'It Was Disrespectful'- Justin Gatlin on Christian Coleman's Role in Noah Lyles-Anchored Team

American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has hailed Christian Coleman's role in the Noah Lyles-anchored Team USA at the 2019 World Athletics Championships.

Gatlin, revered as one of the greatest American sprinters ever, has shed light on the impact Coleman had on Team USA's 4×100m relay.

Coleman and Gatlin teamed up with Olympic champion Noah Lyles and Mike Rogers to deliver gold for Team USA.

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Gatlin has recently opened up on just how impactful Coleman was in that win.

In a recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast, the former world champion spoke about how Team USA couldn't have done it were it not for Coleman's blistering start.

"Listen, 2019—any leg after him was just disrespectful. Because I ain't going to lie, bro, I look back at the tape like, 'Oh, that's just disrespectful, dog,'" said the former 100m world champion.

"Like the way he broke the stagger already, it was just—like man, golly, like we just did some damage. All we had to do was make sure we didn't drop the stick, that's all it was, bro," he added.

Gatlin continued to hail Coleman as the best starter, stating, "To be honest, I mean, him on that first leg—I mean, where else do you need to put him, you see what I'm saying?"

Coleman has been impactful for Team USA as a starter.

At the 2023 World Athletics Championships, Coleman teamed up with Lyles, Fred Kerley, and Brandon Carnes.

Again, his brilliant start gave the U.S. the edge, as Lyles anchored the team to another victory.

However, at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Coleman's team suffered a setback in a botched baton exchange between him and Kenny Bednarek.

Still, his unmatched start on the first leg of relay competitions continues to make him an asset for the likes of Noah Lyles, Kerley, and Bednarek when teaming up for Team USA.