Justin Gatlin's road to redemption
11:00 PM, Aug. 20, 2011  Written by Bill Vilona [email protected]

With his size 12, apple-red track cleats, Gatlin clangs into place a final adjustment on his metal starting block. He settles into position, head bowed, then slowly rises. Eyes are riveted. His face crinkles into a steeled focus.

Seated a couple of feet away, his coach, 77-year-old Brooks Johnson, holds up his right hand. The other track stars with whom Johnson is training stop to watch. Suddenly, Johnson snaps two fingers. Gatlin fires out like a cannon shot, his legs pumping like engine pistons on a race machine.