Gatlin will try to stand in Bolt’s way as 100-meter showdown looms in Rio Olympics

The race for the fastest man in the world begins Saturday with the 100-meter dash prelims.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt has his sights set on a third consecutive Olympic gold medal, but American Justin Gatlin is going to make Bolt work for it.

Gatlin, 34, is the oldest sprinter to make an American Olympic team, but his credentials are solid. He has four Olympic medals to his name, including a gold in the 100 meters at the 2004 Games before Bolt’s rise to stardom.

At the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, he finished a mere .01 seconds behind Bolt to claim silver.

Gatlin cruised to the top time at the U.S. Olympic Trials, winning in 9.80 seconds.

This story was originally published August 12, 2016 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Gatlin will try to stand in Bolt’s way as 100-meter showdown looms in Rio Olympics."