Skip to main content

10 years later, Gatlin dominant again in sprints

By WTOP Staff

RAF CASERT
AP Sports Writer

BRUSSELS (AP) — Ten years later, Justin Gatlin is dominating his sport once more.

Granted, it’s happening at a time when Usain Bolt is taking a break from the track — but given the way Gatlin is running, perhaps even the seemingly unbeatable Jamaican will have to watch out next year.

The American sprinter ran the fastest 100 meters of the year Friday, and set a personal best at 32, before also winning the 200 only an hour later at the Van Damme Memorial, the last major event of the season.

It extended his unbeaten streak to 18 races so far, with one minor race in Rieti, Italy, to come on Sunday.

A full decade after he became Olympic 100 champion in Athens and four years after returning from a long doping ban, Gatlin set a time of 9.77 seconds. That matches the time he was stripped of in 2006 when he was slapped with a four-year ban, which at the time gave him a share of the world record.

Now, humbled by hindsight, it gives him hope that the best might be yet to come.

“It is coming back full circle, right,” Gatlin said. “So, hmmm, a little bit of bittersweet, but I am happy.”

The only athlete coming close to stealing Gatlin’s spotlight in Brussels high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar, who came preciously close to setting a world record of 2.46 meters but had to settle for an Asian record of 2.43.

At 23, Barshim still has much his career ahead of him. For Gatlin, it already is an achievement to have come back from the doping ban.

Even in his 30s, Gatlin still has the quick start, the vigor of acceleration and the sustained strength right through to the finish to make many younger men jealous.

Doing it in two races on one night was just another way to prove a point.

“I wanted to test my toughness,” he said.

He will need it next year, because Bolt will be back and bent on winning another world championship triple in Beijing as a stepping stone toward the 2016 Olympics Rio.

Bolt’s season was limited to just a few minor events this year because of injuries, but Gatlin is looking forward to meeting him head head-on and turning a one-man show into a duel.

“It is not just one lane on the track,” said Gatlin of Bolt’s dominance. “I don’t want to go out there and lay down when Usain Bolt takes the stage. I will go out there and push him. … The world wants to see a good rivalry.”

Another American excelled in the women’s 200, with Allyson Felix clocking a world-leading 22.02 seconds to beat Frenchwoman Myriam Soumare and European champion Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands.

In the shot put, New Zealand’s Valerie Adams won her 56th straight competition, beating the 27-year-old stadium record with a throw of 20.59 meters, which also was the best performance of the year.

Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic also set a leading mark for the season and a King Baudouin stadium record, winning the javelin with 69.99.

___

Raf Casert can be followed on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/rcasert

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote