As with every aspect and sector of the society, the world of sports can get ugly.
Track and field especially, has been tarnished by a history of doping irregularities and the latest uproar over Justin Gatlin's positive test results comes as no surprise - not because we have no faith in Gatlin, but because drug scandals have become so common.
It is sad that such an accusation would come at what many would say is the height of Gatlin's career. Being joint world record holder and being under scrutiny for allegedly breaching anti-doping agreements does not look good. And even if he is eventually cleared, people will always have their doubts.
Even if we wanted to believe that Gatlin was the victim of someone's elaborate and evil plan to sabotage him, it is hard to do so when this theory is coming from a coach with a less than clean past. Trevor Graham's history of being involved with athletes that have been suspended or probed in doping matters, does not bode well for Gatlin's welfare as very few people value Graham's word.
One other factor that is working against Gatlin is his 2001 suspension. Many will think twice about swearing on Gatlin's innocence and rightfully so. How are we to know that he would never go that route again?
If he is in fact guilty, he faces being banned for life and what was shaping up to be a stellar career would have dwindled to nothing. While we hope for the best, justice must be served and if found guilty, it will all be too sad.
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