Justin Gatlin claims he was asked to leave the Beijing World Challenge by event organizers.
The 33-year-old sprinter ran a personal-best in the 100 meters at the opening Diamond League season in Doha last week, posting a time of 9.74 seconds — the sixth fastest of all time.
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Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, had been due to race Wednesday. The American sprinter initially raised doubts about his health upon arriving in China but subsequently declared himself fit to compete.
"They didn't have any respect for me so they said 'you better leave'," he told reporters. "I was happy to stay. I was cramping a lot after the fastest my body has ever run.
"It's crazy. I have no idea what they were thinking. I think they thought I wasn't man enough and I might pull up in the race, or not finish it and then still ask for money.
"But I'm not a man like that. I'm not the kind of guy to cheat people of their money or let the fans down... that's not what I do."
Beijing organizers have not yet responded to Gatlin's claims.