Justin Gatlin gets honest about visa denial controversy at World Relays and what world athletics can do to fix it

Justin Gatlin and his fellow podcaster, Rodney Green, expressed concern over China denying visas to athletes from Nigeria and the Dominican Republic, compelling them to withdraw from the 2025 World Relays. The gateway event of the World Athletics Championships took place from May 10-11.

Gatlin, who was a toe-to-toe rival of the legendary Usain Bolt, retired in 2022 but stays connected to his beloved sport. He discusses athletes, events, and related topics on the Ready Set Go podcast with his fellow host and former track coach, Green.

A week ago, on May 10-11, the 2025 World Relays witnessed teams battle it out for a spot at the World Athletics Championships. However, teams like Nigeria and the Dominican Republic lost their chances to be in the running after the Chinese officials reportedly denied their visas to enter Guangzhou.

Discussing this on the Ready Set Go podcast, Gatlin said:

"Speaking of teams that didn't show up, you know the stories out there of a couple of countries that got denied entry to China for the World Relays. So we're talking about Paulino and the Dominican Republic were not able to go out to China to be able to qualify for Worlds through the World Relays, and I think Nigeria also was not able to enter into China."

Further, Green wondered whether World Athletics would find ways for the teams to compete in the World Championships in Tokyo since the athletes were at no fault regarding visa denial.

"Those teams that got denied visas because that's not their fault that's the country is doing. Is there going to be another time when that team can go and try to qualify? They have to, cuz they can't hold that to them because that's that's not their fault."

Olympic champion and world record holder Tobi Amusan was slated to compete with the Nigerian team.

South Africa won three golds to claim top spot, and the US trailed in second on the medal table at the 2025 World Relays.

Justin Gatlin revealed how rivalry between the USA and Jamaica began

Justin Gatlin and Bolt at the VIP's Attend The IAAF World Athletics Championships - (Source: Getty)

As one of the most decorated 100m sprinters of his time, Justin Gatlin raised the bar on the track and field for his Jamaican rivals to match. On one of his podcast episodes, he opened up about how he missed the competitiveness between the two nations.

The 43-year-old also revealed that the rivalry stemmed from the Penn Relays traditionally.

"Everyone thinks that the rivalry of USA and Jamaica started with myself, Bolt, Yohan, Tyson [etc.] But from a traditional standpoint, it's right here [Penn Relays]. Penn Relays traditionally shows up and Jamaica comes to battle."

He added:

"They [Team Jamaica] save their money up, just to go battle at Penn Relays. It's an honor for them to be able to leave their country to come run at Penn Relays. They're gonna show up and show out bro."

Justin Gatlin boasts five Olympic medals, including one gold at the 2004 Athens edition.